Next year, when countries around the world take to the stage to compete in Eurovision, they may face new competitors.
Canada can now participate in song contests after CBC/Radio-Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), a requirement for the competition.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has sought closer political and economic ties with Europe since taking office last year, proposed a plan for Canada to participate in a song contest in the 2025 budget.
Canada is not the first non-European country to enter the contest. Israel and Australia compete regularly, as did Morocco in 1980.
Carney’s government said in November it was working with Canada’s public broadcaster CBC “to explore participation in Eurovision.” His government budget included C$150m (£80m) in funding for broadcasters.
According to Eurovision’s rules, participation in the contest is open to countries with broadcasting organizations that are members of the EBU.
Before Thursday, the CBC was an “associate member.”
“Canada’s voice in this community makes us stronger,” said EBU Secretary-General Noel Curran.
Although Canada did not officially participate in Eurovision, Canadians participated and even won.
In 1988, Céline Dion, a Canadian from Quebec, won the competition representing Switzerland. The win helped launch Dion’s successful career.
Other Canadians have since competed, including Acadia New Brunswick native Natasha St-Pier, who represented France in 2001, and Montreal singer La Zarra, who represented France in 2023.
