Canada to compete in next year's Eurovision Song Contest

CANADA will be competing in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, it has been announced. Confirming the North American country’s participation, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) director Martin Green said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome CBC/Radio-Canada to the Eurovision Song Contest family – a further sign that, while born in Europe, the contest continues to welcome the world. “Canada has a proud and memorable connection to the contest, with Canadian artists, not least 1988 winner Celine Dion, having taken to our stage many times leaving a lasting mark on audiences around the world. “With CBC/Radio-Canada now able to participate in the contest as a full EBU member, we look forward to seeing Canada bring its own voice, creativity, and energy to the Eurovision Song Contest stage in Bulgaria in 2027.” The news follows the announcement last week that CBC/Radio-Canada had become a full member of the EBU, which paved the way for its eligibility to participate in Eurovision. READ MORE: Members of royal family confronted by two separate protests in Scotland CBC/Radio-Canada president and chief executive Marie-Philippe Bouchard said: “On this Canada Day, as we celebrate with Canadians across the country and around the world the richness and diversity of Canadian culture, we’re so excited to confirm that we’re bringing the world’s largest live music event to Canadians. “Our participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, starting next year in Bulgaria, will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the most storied music stages in the world. “It will also allow fans in Canada to continue watching and voting in the song contest, as they have done for years – with the added thrill of seeing their own country represented on the Eurovision stage.” Canada is the first new country to join the Eurovision Song Contest since Australia in 2015. It will compete in the semi-finals when it joins the competition next year. CBC/Radio-Canada will unveil details on how Canada’s entry will be selected later this year. This year, Canada was one of the top three countries outside of Europe to vote in the competition, while Canadians were also among the largest ticket-buyers outside of Europe. While Canada has never previously competed in the song contest, Canadian singer Dion won the 1988 competition with her song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi while competing for Switzerland. After being an associate member since the 1950s, CBC/Radio-Canada joined the EBU last week following a vote at the EBU’s 96th general assembly in Prague. Speaking at the time, Bouchard said: “Thank you to the European Broadcasting Union for welcoming CBC/Radio-Canada as a full member. “This new chapter in our relationship with the EBU and its members will deepen our co-operation at a time when the collective impact of public service media is essential. “It’s an important milestone that will benefit people on both sides of the Atlantic by helping to combat disinformation and support cultural expression.” He added: “As a full member, we are hitting the ground running by announcing our full participation in the Eurovision News Exchange. This will allow more Canadian news and perspectives to reach audiences in Europe, and bring more international coverage to Canadians.” READ MORE: Newest CalMac ferry to be pulled out of service for 'repairs under warranty' The first Canadian to ever compete in Eurovision was Sherisse Laurence, who competed for Luxembourg in 1986 and came in third place. After Dion, several other Canadians have also competed – including Annie Cotton for Switzerland in 1993, Natasha St-Pier for France in 2001, Katerine Duska for Greece in 2019, Rykka for Switzerland in 2016 and La Zarra for France in 2023. Aside from Australia, Israel is also another non-European country that competes in Eurovision. It joined in 1973. But five countries – Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia – pulled out of this year’s contest in protest over Israel’s ongoing participation amid its brutal onslaught of Gaza, which the UN has determined amounts to genocide. Human rights group Amnesty International has criticised the EBU for its failure to suspend Israel because of its actions in Gaza, as it did with Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, calling it an act of “cowardice” and a “blatant double standard”. The 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Bulgaria after singer Dara won this year’s event in Vienna, Austria, in May.