In brief
Canada’s public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada has become a full member of the European Broadcasting Union, unlocking the country’s debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. Canberra will be one of the rare non‑European states to compete, following precedents such as Australia and Israel. The first Canadian entry will take place in the semi‑finals in Bulgaria, where the contest will be held next year, after Bulgaria won the 2026 edition with Dara’s Bangaranga. A new selection process for Canada’s representative will be announced later this year, reopening the debate over national representation in a traditionally European show.
Canada will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2027, organisers have announced.
It becomes the first new country to join since Australia in 2015, and follows a turbulent year where long‑standing competitors such as Ireland and Spain pulled out over Israel's participation.
The path for Canada to compete was cleared last week, when the country's public broadcaster CBC/Radio‑Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which stages the annual competition.
Canada can already claim one winner. Quebec‑born Celine Dion represented Switzerland in the 1988 contest, and took the trophy with her song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.
Other Canadians have since competed, including Natasha St‑Pier, an Acadian New Brunswicker who represented France in 2001, and La Zarra, a singer from Montreal who represented France in 2023.
According to organisers, Canada will debut at next year's semi‑finals in Bulgaria.
CBC/Radio‑Canada will unveil details of how Canada's entry will be selected later this year.
