HALIFAX -- Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie will be performing at a We Day youth empowerment event in Halifax today.

His appearance at the event was announced early Wednesday morning, a day after Downie performed his Secret Path show to a sold-out audience at Halifax's Rebecca Cohn theatre.

We Day organizers said in a news release that Downie is expected to perform before 8,000 youth and educators, but there have been some cancellations of participants due to treacherous roads in parts of the Maritimes from an overnight storm.

The event organizers quote Downie saying he's looking forward to the opportunity to connect with young people "who are passionately working towards a better tomorrow."

Canadian hip hop artist Classified and Margaret Trudeau will also be among those taking the stage for the event at the Scotiabank Centre in the city's downtown.

We Day describes itself as "a movement that brings people together and gives them the tools to change the world," while celebrating youth efforts on issues such as homelessness and poverty.