Politicians, indigenous leaders, fellow musicians are paying tribute to Canadian icon Gord Downie following his passing from incurable brain cancer at 53.

They’re all praising the front man of the Tragically Hip as a legend, loving man and fierce advocate for reconciliation with Indigenous people.

(Adrian Wyld / Canadian Press)

A tearful Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered an emotional statement.

“We are less as a country without Gord Downie in it,” and that he cared deeply about the country and about ”every hidden corner, every story” in it.

The prime minister added Downie wanted to make the country better.

Tory MP Tony Clement’s calling on the government to consider a state funeral.

Indigenous leaders praise Downie’s contributions to reconciliation, including his ”Secret Path” project that honoured 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack, who died in 1966 after running away from a residential school near Kenora.

 

Geddy Lee from Rush says Downie probably would want people to celebrate his life but thinks Canadians will be in mourning for some time.

Lee says the great ones are few and far between and that when we lose one he feels it’s appropriate to mourn that loss.