Eurovision’s global brand could be about to grow to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. It was revealed this week that Canada is in early discussions to possibly join the song contest.
Indications of a potential Canadian appearance at Eurovision came from the federal government’s latest budget.
One section of the document was titled “Protecting Our National Broadcaster: CBC/Radio-Canada.” Part of this laid out plans for the government to work with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to explore the possibility of participating at Eurovision:
“CBC/Radio-Canada is part of our Canadian identity. Canada’s new government is protecting our national broadcaster by ensuring it has the resources needed to modernise and better deliver for Canadians, and to continue providing vital programming in both French and English.
“Budget 2025 proposes to provide $150 million in 2025-26 for CBC/Radio-Canada to strengthen its mandate to serve the public and to better reflect the needs of Canadians. The government will explore modernising CBC/Radio-Canada’s mandate to strengthen independence, and is working with CBC/Radio Canada to explore participation in Eurovision.”
View this post on Instagram
Two government sources have told CBC’s news department that Prime Minister Mark Carney is personally involved in the push for Canada to appear at Eurovision.
Carney previously worked as the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020. During his time in the UK, he would have likely been well acquainted with the Eurovision Song Contest. It seems the Liberal politician and economist became such a fan that he now wishes to see his own country take to the stage — and possibly position Canada closer to its European allies rather than Donald Trump’s USA.
Eurovision organisers at the European Broadcasting Union have confirmed that discussions with Canadian broadcaster CBC have been taking place. In a statement sent to The Euro Trip Podcast, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green, noted:
“The Canadian conversation with CBC is in its very early stages and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them.”
As an associate member of the EBU, Canada does not have automatic right to participate at Eurovision, but must be specifically invited.
This was the case for Australia in 2015, who were given the opportunity to appear at the contest’s 60th anniversary — and have been invited back ever since.
With the 70th edition of Eurovision set to take place in 2026, the EBU may be interested in bringing another new name to the party.
Canadian singers have in fact appeared at Eurovision before, but waving the flags of European countries. The most famous is of course Céline Dion, who lifted the trophy for Switzerland in 1988. That same year, Belgian-Canadian star Lara Fabian represented Luxembourg.
France has also not been a stranger to selecting Canadian performers — Natasha St-Pier, born in New Brunswick, sang in 2001; Montreal’s La Zarra waved the tricolour in 2023.
Any sign of ‘Eurovision Canada’?
This isn’t the first time a push has been made for Canada to embrace the world’s largest music competition.
The EBU previously announced spin-off competition Eurovision Canada in cooperation with Toronto-based production company Insight Productions. Set to feature artists from each of the ten provinces and three territories, it was supposed to premiere in 2023 as a potential national final for the North American nation… but two years later it has never seen the light of day.
Lindsay Cox, co-chief content officer at Insight Productions, told The Canadian Press earlier this year that, following the announcement, they had realised “the complexity of a Canadian going to Europe and competing.”
CBC would also have to get onboard with any possible national final. Spokesperson Chuck Thompson told CBC News the broadcaster had met with Insight Productions at the time. However, they eventually decided it would be “prohibitively expensive.”
Nevertheless, Cox still hopes to get the event off the ground. She said work would be done together with Quebec-based company Groupe Fair-Play to pitch a revamped version to broadcasters.
Should a national final still be deemed too costly, CBC has the option of internally selecting an artist to send to Europe.
Do you want to see Canada at Eurovision? Who do you think should represent the nation if they do participate? Let us know in the comments below.
No one asked for this. Non-European countries like Australia and Canada should not participate in Eurovision. EBU is desperate since no one wants to watch their freak show. So instead of making meaningful reforms, they are just going to continue to invite random counties that have nothing to do with the contest so they can keep the coffers full.
Shame that The Tragically Hip is no more. They could absolutely rock that stage, plus they are unkown outside Canada. And their songs all touch on Canadian topics
I think Canada may be invited for the 70th anniversary. As we know their artists have appeared over the years for several other countries so why not.
I welcome Canada’s future inclusion in principle just as I would welcome other associate EBU members like Chile, South Korea and New Zealand to mention a few, but this should be done only after every effort has been exhausted to encourage the current 56 EBU members to participate. Within mainland Europe, Turkey and Hungary have issues with autocratic and anti-LGBTQ leaders, BiH’s broadcaster has financial and structural issues that even a sweetner deal can’t solve, Slovakia has other priorities, Monaco and Andorra aren’t ready at this point and Kazakhstan is still a big question mark. The Arab countries aren’t entering… Read more »
Get Barenaked Ladies!
I wouldn’t besurprised if the EBU speeds things up for Canada to join the 70th anniversary edition in order to compensate for the withdrawal of those who sticked to their ‘guns’ (how ironious). I can’t help reminding you that Canada recognized Palestine in September this year, so I find it incredibly hypocritical that it has no issue with Israel possibly participating in 2026 and spare me the violins about governments not representing the spirit of tolerance, peace and harmony bla bla bla…
Several EBU broadcasters are struggling to pay for Eurovision, because of financial problems. But it is rather telling that for EBU it is more important right now to invite a country with no historic interest in Eurovision.
But I guess all is fair game when it comes to ignoring the elephant in the room.
Interesting idea, I’d rather have Canada conpete than
Russianpuppet called Kazakhstan.The Canadian PM was an Irish citizen up ’til he had to renounce it earlier this year. He has Irish blood, so maybe that explains the Eurovision interest what with then 7 wins. UK citizen too since 2018, also renounced.
Also, concerning at Anglophone countries getting special treatment. Australia is more than enough already. Kazakhstan got the door slammed in its face.
Please no. Please no. PLEASE NO.
EBU, please concentrate on the needs and rights of your actual members, and STOP trying to grow a global “brand”. You are a union of public service broadcasters, not a soulless Rupert Murdoch corporate moneymaker.