Canada Becomes Eligible to Compete in Eurovision Song Contest

Canada is now eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest after CBC/Radio-Canada achieved full membership status with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The public broadcaster previously held associate membership, but the new full membership meets Eurovision’s primary eligibility requirement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has prioritized strengthening European ties since assuming office last year, signaled Canada’s interest in joining the contest through the 2025 federal budget. The government’s budget allocated C$150 million to the CBC to support this potential new venture.

While Canada would be the first North American country to regularly compete, it would join Israel and Australia as non-European nations participating in the contest. Morocco represented the region in 1980.

The EBU’s director general, Noel Curran, welcomed the expansion, stating that “Canada’s voice in this community makes us stronger.”

Though never formally competing, Canada has a Eurovision connection through music history. In 1988, Céline Dion represented Switzerland and won the contest—a victory that launched her internationally acclaimed career. More recently, Natasha St-Pier, originally from New Brunswick, represented France in 2001, and Montreal’s La Zarra competed for France in 2023.

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