A petition has started up on Change.org to honour The Tragically Hip lead singer Gord Downie with the Order of Canada.
Downie, who was diagnosed in December with terminal brain cancer, has not been given a prognosis, but is set to embark on an 11-city Canadian tour — the band’s last — starting at the end of July.
READ MORE: Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip — Honouring the Canadian band’s best music
The Change.org petition was started by Rock 95, a radio station out of Barrie, Ont.
The petition states:
From his songwriting to environmental activism, Gord Downie embodies what it means to be Canadian. Along with all The Tragically Hip band members, he’s had a profound impact not just on the world of music, but on Canadian culture as well.
Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.
As of this writing, fewer than 400 signatures are needed to reach the goal of 1,000. It will easily surpass that mark.
READ MORE: The Tragically Hip summer 2016 tour: Band announces Man Machine Poem dates
The Order of Canada is Canada’s second highest civilian honour for merit. Some notable Canadians who’ve received the Order include former prime minister Jean Chrétien, chanteuse Céline Dion, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Gordon Lightfoot.
Downie easily fits the bill, as The Hip are widely considered to be one of the most “Canadian” bands that’s ever made music.
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