Canada joins Eurovision Song Contest, set for 2027 debut

Canada is set to make its first-ever appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, becoming the first country to join the competition since Australia's debut in 2015.

The milestone follows CBC/Radio-Canada's admission as a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organisation that oversees Eurovision, Caliber.Az reports, citing the organisation.

The broadcaster secured full membership during the EBU's 96th General Assembly in Prague on June 25, after decades as an associate member dating back to 1950.

Full membership makes Canada's national public broadcaster eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Canada will enter the competition through the semi-finals when the event is held in Bulgaria in 2027.

Fans will also be able to follow Canada's preparations and receive exclusive Eurovision updates through the Eurofan platform.

Announcing Canada's participation, CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO Marie-Philippe Bouchard said:

"We’re so excited to confirm that we’re bringing the world’s largest live music event to Canadians. Our participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, starting next year in Bulgaria, will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the most storied music stages in the world. It will also allow fans in Canada to continue watching and voting in the Song Contest, as they have done for years — with the added thrill of seeing their own country represented on the Eurovision stage."

Although Canada has never previously competed under its own flag, Canadian performers have left a lasting mark on Eurovision history.

Among the most celebrated is Céline Dion, who secured victory for Switzerland at the 1988 contest in Dublin with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, becoming the only Canadian artist to win Eurovision.

Other Canadian singers have also represented European countries with notable success. Lara Fabian finished fourth for Luxembourg in 1988 with Croire, while Sherisse Laurence earned third place for Luxembourg in 1986 with L’Amour De Ma Vie. Switzerland later selected another Canadian, Annie Cotton, who placed third at the 1993 contest with Moi, Tout Simplement.

France has also turned to Canadian talent, most notably Natasha St-Pier, whose performance of Je N'ai Que Mon Âme secured fourth place in Copenhagen in 2001 before becoming a commercial success.

More recently, Canadian artists have represented several European nations, including La Zarra for France in 2023, Katerine Duska for Greece in 2019 and Rykka for Switzerland in 2016. Debbie Scerri represented Malta in 1997, while Gary Lux competed for Austria three times during the 1980s.

Canada has long been recognised as a major contributor to the global music industry, producing internationally acclaimed artists across a wide range of genres. From contemporary stars such as Tate McRae, The Weeknd and Justin Bieber to legendary musicians including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen, Canadian performers have enjoyed worldwide success for decades.

The country's influence spans pop, jazz, country, electronic music, hip-hop, rock and alternative music, with artists such as Nelly Furtado, Carly Rae Jepsen, Shawn Mendes, Avril Lavigne, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Shania Twain, deadmau5, Drake, Arcade Fire, Bryan Adams, Alanis Morissette and Sarah McLachlan helping shape the international music landscape.

Canada is now preparing to add another chapter to that legacy by competing in Eurovision for the first time when the contest takes place in Bulgaria in 2027.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov