Canada’s federal government has officially confirmed that it is “working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore participation in Eurovision,” marking the first time the country’s national broadcaster has been linked to potential involvement in the contest.
A first official reference in Budget 2025
The reference appears in Canada’s 2025 federal budget, tabled this week by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government, under a section titled Protecting Our National Broadcaster: CBC/Radio-Canada.
It states:
“Budget 2025 proposes to provide $150 million in 2025–26 for CBC/Radio-Canada to strengthen its mandate to serve the public and to better reflect the needs of Canadians. The government will explore modernising CBC/Radio-Canada’s mandate to strengthen independence, and is working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore participation in Eurovision.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Finance Canada told the National Post that “further details will be announced in due course.”
The investment is meant to strengthen CBC’s public service mission, modernize how it operates, and boost its cultural programming in both English and French. In its statement about the new budget, CBC didn’t specifically mention Eurovision.
What Eurovision participation would mean
CBC/Radio-Canada is an associate member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). That status means it can’t automatically take part in Eurovision, the broadcaster would need a special invitation from the EBU, much like the one that allowed Australia to make its debut in 2015.
Canada itself has never competed in the contest, though Canadians have played memorable roles in Eurovision’s history, most notably Céline Dion, who won for Switzerland in 1988 with “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.”
A pivotal season for the 70th Eurovision
This development comes amid a busy lead-up to Eurovision’s 70th edition, as the EBU looks to make the milestone year a defining one.
Recently, Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova have all confirmed their return to the contest. Meanwhile, the EBU cancelled a planned November vote on Israel’s participation, deciding instead to make a final internal ruling in December.
At the same time, the union has been in talks with Kazakhstan, after the country’s broadcaster, Khabar Agency, raised the possibility of joining during this year’s EBU General Assembly in London. Kazakhstan is being considered as a potential invitee for 2026, part of the EBU’s broader goal of introducing a new debut nation for the anniversary edition.
Where things stand
No timeline has been provided for when discussions between CBC/Radio-Canada and the EBU might take place.
If pursued, a Canadian debut would likely depend on financial planning, EBU approval, and logistical feasibility.
For now, it remains an unprecedented but early sign of interest.
Would you like to see Canada joining the Eurovision Song Contest? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News source: CBC
Photo credit: marke1996 / Flickr
Euan T