The 70th annual Eurovision Song Contest wrapped up on Saturday after a nail-biting finale that saw Bulgaria triumph over 24 other countries during the grand final in Vienna, Austria. Singer Dara secured the country’s first-ever Eurovision victory with her explosive party anthem “Bangaranga,” which the 27-year-old has described as “pop music with folklore bones.”
The win marks a major milestone for Bulgaria, which only joined Eurovision in 2005 and skipped the past three editions of the competition, citing financial concerns.
Now, as preparations begin for the 2027 contest, attention is already turning to one surprising question: could Canada finally enter Eurovision?
Rumours about a possible Canadian debut began circulating last year after a line buried in the federal budget revealed that the government was working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore participation in Eurovision. Now, the contest’s director has suggested that the idea may not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
Speaking to the BBC, Eurovision director Martin Green said Canada has not officially applied to participate and that “nothing’s particularly come over my desk,” but added that the country would be welcome.
“We know that Mark Carney wants to sort of embrace Europe,” Green said.
“For 70 years, our doors have been open, and we will welcome anyone through those doors who wants to share the values of this wonderful occasion and stand on our stage with friends,” he continued.
Canada’s public broadcaster has also confirmed that it is in discussions with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about closer collaboration and even sent a Canadian delegation of observers to this year’s contest in Vienna — a move many Eurovision fans interpreted as a sign of growing interest.
Why Canada’s Eurovision ambitions suddenly feel serious
The possibility of Canada joining Eurovision also aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s broader push to strengthen ties with Europe as Canada looks to diversify its global partnerships. The mention of Eurovision in last year’s federal budget suggested those ambitions could extend beyond trade and security into the cultural sphere as well.
Previously, two government sources told CBC that Carney — who studied and worked in the United Kingdom for years, including serving as governor of the Bank of England — was personally supportive of the idea of Canada entering Eurovision in the near future.
Carney has suggested Canada’s participation in Eurovision would be positive for both the country and Europe.
“We want Canadian culture on a global stage,” Carney said shortly after the budget was tabled in November 2025. “Best culture in the world, best music in the world. I think Europe deserves to see it too.”
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne also voiced support for the idea at the time.
“I think it’s a platform for Canada to shine,” Champagne said in November. “This is about protecting our identity — yes, we want to protect our sovereignty, but you also want to help people in the arts sector and in the film industry to make sure they can shine around the world. And we have a lot to offer as Canadians.”
Of course, this is not the first time Canada has explored participating in the beloved song competition. In 2022, CBC ruled out the possibility, saying participation would be “prohibitively expensive.”
Despite its name, Eurovision is not strictly limited to Europe. Countries whose broadcasters are members of the EBU are eligible to compete. While CBC is not a full EBU member, it does qualify as an associate member — the same status held by Australia before it was invited to compete in 2015 after years of strong viewership and fan enthusiasm.
So far, Australia remains the only associate member to officially participate in Eurovision, though Canada’s growing involvement suggests that could eventually change.
And while Canada has never formally entered the competition, Canadian artists have already left a significant mark on Eurovision history. Most famously, Céline Dion won the contest for Switzerland in Dublin, Ireland in 1988 with “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.” More recently, Natasha St-Pier represented France in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2001 with “Je n'ai que mon âme," while La Zarra competed for France in Liverpool, England with "Évidemment" in 2023.
For now, Canada’s Eurovision future remains uncertain. But between government interest, growing ties with the EBU, and a long history of Canadian talent crossing onto the Eurovision stage, the idea no longer feels entirely impossible.
