Canada has now gained eligibility to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest, but its national broadcaster has not confirmed if it will join the renowned competition. CBC/Radio-Canada officially became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) after a recent vote at the EBU’s general assembly in Prague, transitioning from its previous status as an associate member since 1950.
While Canada is now able to submit an entry to Eurovision, CBC has refrained from disclosing its participation plans at this time. Leon Mar, a spokesperson for CBC/Radio-Canada, mentioned that more information regarding the Eurovision Song Contest will be shared in the future.
In the 2025 budget, the Carney government indicated its collaboration with CBC to explore Canada’s potential involvement in Eurovision. Notably, two government sources revealed that the prime minister played a direct role in advancing this initiative. The federal government has yet to respond to media inquiries on this matter.
Eurovision director Martin Green previously expressed openness to Canadian participation in the competition. Canada would not be the first non-European country to compete, as Israel, Morocco, and Australia have previously taken part. Australia notably participated from 2015 onwards, despite its broadcaster, the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), not being a full EBU member. Israel’s involvement has triggered withdrawals from broadcasters in various countries like Ireland, Spain, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.
In the 2026 edition of the competition, Bulgarian singer Dara clinched victory with the song “Bangaranga.” Executives from both CBC and EBU foresee mutual benefits from CBC’s promotion to EBU full membership, including enhanced access to collaborative networks for journalism, verification, digital news, and cultural exchange services. Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, emphasized the significance of this milestone in fostering cross-Atlantic cooperation and combating misinformation.
Noel Curran, director general of the EBU, highlighted the potential for Canada to make valuable contributions to the union, citing Canada’s positive impact on public service journalism standards. Full EBU membership is seen as a means to further strengthen collaboration and amplify Canada’s voice within the international broadcasting community.
