Canada's federal budget revealed a brief line saying the government and CBC/Radio‑Canada are exploring a Eurovision Song Contest entry. Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne framed the idea as a way to "protect our identity" and boost Canadian artists on a global stage. Eurovision organisers say talks are in their infancy, while critics point to high costs and relatively low domestic interest as obstacles. Notably, Canadian artists such as Céline Dion have appeared at Eurovision representing other countries.
Canada Eyes Eurovision Entry to 'Protect Our Identity' as CBC Holds Early Talks
Canada's federal budget revealed a brief line saying the government and CBC/Radio‑Canada are exploring a Eurovision Song Contest entry. Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne framed the idea as a way to "protect our identity" and boost Canadian artists on a global stage. Eurovision organisers say talks are in their infancy, while critics point to high costs and relatively low domestic interest as obstacles. Notably, Canadian artists such as Céline Dion have appeared at Eurovision representing other countries.
03:02 AM, 11/13/2025Culture
Canada explores Eurovision entry in bid to boost cultural profile
When Canada released its federal budget this month, most measures were familiar — from plans to reduce the size of the public service to a boost in defence spending. But one line buried in the nearly 500-page document caught attention on both sides of the Atlantic: the government said it was working with CBC/Radio‑Canada to explore participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne said the proposal to enter the glitzy TV event came from "the people who participate," and described the idea as part of an effort to help Canadian artists reach a global audience. "I think it's a platform for Canada to shine," Champagne told Global News. "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."
CBC/Radio‑Canada is an associate member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision; Australia — another associate member — was invited to take part in 2015. Eurovision director Martin Green confirmed discussions are at an early stage: "The Canadian conversation with CBC/Radio‑Canada is in its very early stages and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them. We’re always excited to know that broadcasters want to be part of the world’s largest live music show," he said.
Practical hurdles and political context
Media coverage has pointed to practical obstacles: staging a competitive Eurovision entry can be costly, and survey data suggests relatively few Canadians currently follow the contest. CBC previously said it had ruled out participation in 2022 after finding it "prohibitively expensive."
The idea comes amid efforts by Canadian officials to deepen ties with international partners as trade tensions with the United States have at times risen. Two government sources told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that Mark Carney — the Canadian economist who served as governor of the Bank of England — has also been involved in discussions around broader cultural and economic engagement with European partners.
Canadian talent on the Eurovision stage
While Canada has never competed as a country in Eurovision, Canadian artists have taken part representing other nations. Most notably, Céline Dion won the contest for Switzerland in 1988 with "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi." Other Canadian performers to appear on the Eurovision stage include Natasha St‑Pier for France (2001) and La Zarra (2023).
What’s next: CBC and the EBU are in early talks; any formal entry would require political, financial and broadcaster commitments. Observers say the conversation is as much about cultural diplomacy and international visibility as it is about music.