Canada Set to Join Eurovision After Joining European Broadcasting Union

Canada is poised to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time after its public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), was granted full membership in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) last weekend. This membership is a prerequisite for countries wishing to compete in Eurovision. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office last year, has been working to strengthen political and economic ties with Europe and first proposed Canada's Eurovision inclusion in the 2025 government budget. The government has already allocated approximately $105 million to CBC to explore this possibility.

If Canada joins Eurovision, it will follow Israel and Australia as non-European countries regularly competing in the contest; Morocco also participated once in 1980. EBU Director-General Noel Curran emphasized that Canada's membership strengthens the entire community. He recently warned the Israeli Finance Committee chairman about potential risks to Israel's participation if its broadcaster "Kan" faces funding cuts.

Although Canada has never competed as a country, Canadian artists have previously performed and even won Eurovision. Notably, Canadian-born singer Celine Dion represented Switzerland in 1988 and won first place, a victory that launched her international career. More recently, Montreal singer La Zarra represented France in Eurovision 2023.