At the Canada Day ceremony in Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats Park, the Prime Minister announced that Canada will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest, marking the country's first entry into the competition.
The leader emphasized Canada’s position as the world’s third‑largest exporter of music and framed the participation as a boost to national cultural presence on the global stage.
The 2025 federal budget set aside $150 million for CBC/Radio‑Canada to strengthen its public mandate and to explore the logistics of a Eurovision entry.
Earlier this year, CBC/Radio‑Canada’s associate status in the European Broadcasting Union was elevated to full membership, prompting a rule change that now permits non‑European broadcasters to join the organization.
The Eurovision move is part of a broader strategy to reorient Canada’s economic and foreign policy toward Europe, reducing reliance on traditional U.S. partnerships.
During a recent European tour, the Prime Minister asserted that the next world order will likely be built around Europe and described Canada as the most European of non‑European nations.
Canada’s recent admission to the EU’s Security Action for Europe initiative and its participation in the European Political Community Summit further illustrate deepening ties with European institutions.
With Israel and Australia already competing, Canada will become the third non‑European nation in Eurovision, joining a contest that already includes several countries outside the continent’s geographic boundaries.
The Prime Minister said the contest will become “even wilder” with Canadian involvement and indicated that the selection of the representative will be decided by Canadians, though the exact process remains undefined.
The next Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled for May 2027 in Bulgaria.
