Listen to this article
Average 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created by AI-based technology. It can be mispronounced. We are working with our partners to continuously review and improve the results.
Eurovision director Martin Green told the BBC on Wednesday that the door was open for Canada to join the popular song contest, but said no request or decision had been made.
Green, speaking of speculation that Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed interest in seeing Canada participate in Eurovision, said he was aware of the rumours.
“We know Mark Carney wants to embrace Europe,” Green said.
“Nothing is coming across my desk. But what I can say is that we are an open place. For 70 years, our doors are open, and we will welcome anyone through those doors who wants to share the values of this great event and stand on our stage with friends.”
Eurovision director Martin Green told the BBC he was aware of rumors that Prime Minister Mark Carney had expressed interest in Canada joining the annual singing competition, but insisted no decision had been made yet.
The Eurovision Song Contest, which brings together countries that perform original songs, is run by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Full participation in the annual singing competition was reserved for broadcasters who are full members of the EBU, but the competition has allowed a number of non-European or participating participants in recent years – notably Australia, which was invited to compete first as a one-off in 2015 and to participate in subsequent competitions under special arrangements.
CBC/Radio-Canada is an associate member of the EBU, a position it has held since 1950. In an email to the CBC/Radio-Canada public affairs office following earlier reporting, Leon Mar, the broadcaster's executive director of public affairs, stressed that joint membership does not equal eligibility to compete in Eurovision.
“Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is for public broadcasters who are full members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU),” he said. “As an associate member, CBC/Radio-Canada is not eligible to participate in the ESC,” he wrote.
Mar confirmed, however, that CBC/Radio-Canada is working with the EBU and maintaining a presence at the tournament. “I can confirm that we have three staff members attending the ESC as observers and that we are talking to the EBU about how we can collaborate closely and exchange more content, namely through the Eurovision News Exchange and the Euroradio Music Exchange,” he said.
Mar also emphasized CBC/Radio-Canada's programming independence, noting that the broadcaster is a “Crown affiliate operating at a distance from government,” and that its independence is protected under the Broadcasting Act.
The idea of Canada joining Eurovision came up short last year's state budgetwhere the government says it is working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore possible participation in the annual competition.
Two government sources told CBC News at the time that Carney was personally involved in pushing the plan forward. When asked about Australia's special situation – competing in Eurovision despite being outside the EBU's territory – Mar recommended contacting the EBU directly for details.
He also added that CBC/Radio-Canada did not follow a program similar to the one in Australia and was not contacted to do so.
For now, Green's comments open the door to future Canadian involvement while stressing that any form of participation would require EBU agreement and a formal proposal. No official bid or timeline has been announced.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 continues on Thursday with the second round of semi-finals, with the final being held on Saturday.
