The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has welcomed a new member to its ranks, with Canada set to participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. This major development comes after a vote at the EBU's 96th General Assembly in Prague.
Canada's public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada, has been an associate member of the EBU since 1950, but has now upgraded its status to full membership. This move gives the broadcaster access to the entire breadth of EBU collaboration, allowing it to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and other international broadcasting initiatives.
Canada's inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest has been met with excitement, with Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, saying that they are "so excited" to showcase Canadian talent "on one of the most storied music stages in the world." This is a significant milestone for the country, which has been involved with the EBU for over 70 years.
Canada's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest comes at a time when several countries have boycotted the competition in recent years. The country joins other non-European nations, such as Israel, Australia, and Morocco, as well as transcontinental countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
Noel Curran, director general of the EBU, welcomed Canada's new status, saying that the country's voice in the community makes the EBU stronger. He also praised the broadcaster's contributions to the EBU's mission, including its commitment to public service journalism and platform accountability.
Canada's participation in the Eurovision News Exchange, a platform that allows member broadcasters to share news and perspectives with audiences across Europe, is also seen as a key benefit of its new status. This will enable more Canadian news and perspectives to reach audiences in Europe, and bring more international coverage to Canadians.
The EBU's membership now spans 115 organisations across 57 countries, with 52 countries having competed in at least one Song Contest since 1956. This development marks an upgrade of a long-standing relationship between Canada's national public broadcaster and the EBU, and is seen as a positive step for the organization and its members.
