The decision was announced on Canada Day, exactly one week after CBC/Radio-Canada was admitted as the EBU’s newest member, making the broadcaster eligible to compete in the popular music competition.
Canada will be the first non-European country to debut since Australia in 2015. Israel has participated regularly since 1973, and Morocco took part once in 1980. The ESC’s appeal now extends well beyond Europe: in the most recent contest in May, Canada ranked among the top three in the “Rest of the World” vote.
Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, said in a press release: “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.” The selection of Canada’s entry will be announced later this year.
Canadian artists have already performed on the ESC stage multiple times: Céline Dion won for Switzerland in 1988, while Natasha St-Pier and La Zarra represented France in 2001 and 2023 respectively. Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized that the ESC offers “a platform for Canada to shine” at a time of heightened diplomatic tensions with the United States.
Source: www.dw.com
