Canada has gained the opportunity to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest after CBC/Radio-Canada officially became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The decision was made during the EBU’s general assembly in Prague, upgrading the Canadian broadcaster from its previous status as an associate member since 1950.
While the new membership allows Canada to submit an entry to Eurovision, CBC has not confirmed its participation yet. A spokesperson for CBC/Radio-Canada, Leon Mar, mentioned that more details regarding the Eurovision Song Contest would be revealed later.
In the 2025 budget, the Carney government expressed interest in collaborating with CBC to explore Canada’s potential involvement in Eurovision. Although the federal government has not responded to inquiries on the matter, Eurovision director Martin Green previously expressed openness to Canadian participation.
The Eurovision Song Contest, organized by the EBU, has been running since 1956 and allows eligible broadcasters to present songs representing their countries for viewer voting. Notably, countries outside of Europe, such as Israel, Morocco, and Australia, have previously participated in the competition.
Australia, for instance, joined Eurovision in 2015 with special permission from the EBU, despite not being a full member broadcaster. Conversely, Israel’s participation in the contest led to the withdrawal of broadcasters from several countries like Ireland, Spain, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.
In the 2026 competition, Bulgarian singer Dara emerged as the winner with the song “Bangaranga.” The elevation of CBC to full EBU membership is expected to enhance cooperation and information sharing among public broadcasters globally, facilitating access to investigative journalism networks and news exchange services.
Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, emphasized the importance of the partnership with EBU in combating misinformation and promoting cultural expression. Noel Curran, director general of EBU, praised Canada’s potential contributions to the union, highlighting the country’s role in upholding public service journalism standards.
