CANADA BECOMES ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE IN EUROVISION

Canada is now eligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest after CBC/Radio-Canada achieved full membership of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) on Thursday. The broadcaster's upgraded status meets the eligibility requirement for countries to participate in the annual song competition. Prime Minister Mark Carney proposed Canada's participation in his 2025 budget and stated his government is working with CBC to explore competing in the contest. The government allocated C$150m (£80m) in funding to the broadcaster in November.

The EBU's rules permit participation from countries whose broadcasting organisations hold full membership of the union. CBC/Radio-Canada had previously held associate membership status before Thursday's upgrade. Noel Curran, director general of the EBU, said that "Canada's voice in this community makes us stronger". Canada would not be the first non-European nation to compete; Israel and Australia have competed regularly, and Morocco competed in 1980.

Although Canada has not previously entered Eurovision as a nation, individual Canadians have competed and won. Céline Dion, from Quebec, won the contest in 1988 whilst representing Switzerland, an outcome that helped establish her international career. Other Canadian performers have since represented different countries: Natasha St-Pier represented France in 2001, and La Zarra represented France in 2023. Canada has not yet formally announced its intention to participate in the next Eurovision Song Contest.