Canada Becomes Full EBU Member
Canadian national public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada has joined the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a full member, making it eligible to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. The country had collaborated with EBU members on journalism, standards and technology as an associate member since the 1950s. The full membership was approved by a vote at the EBU’s 96th general assembly in Prague on Thursday.
The move follows a revision to the EBU’s statutes, also approved by the general assembly, which allows extra-European membership for broadcasting organisations aligned with core Council of Europe standards and that have formal observer status with the Council of Europe.
Access to Member-Only Services
As a full member, CBC/Radio-Canada gains access to member-only networks for investigative journalism, verification, digital news and data, as well as the Eurovision News Exchange and Euroradio Music Exchange services. Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president and chief executive of CBC/Radio-Canada, said: “Thank you to the European Broadcasting Union for welcoming CBC/Radio-Canada as a full member. This new chapter in our relationship with the EBU and its members will deepen our co-operation at a time when the collective impact of public service media is essential. It’s an important milestone that will benefit people on both sides of the Atlantic by helping to combat disinformation and support cultural expression. As a full member, we are hitting the ground running by announcing our full participation in the Eurovision News Exchange. This will allow more Canadian news and perspectives to reach audiences in Europe, and bring more international coverage to Canadians.”
Potential Eurovision Participation
While Canada has never competed in the Eurovision Song Contest, its full EBU membership opens the door for entry as early as next year. Canadian singer Celine Dion won the 1988 competition with her song "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" while representing Switzerland. Noel Curran, director-general of the EBU, said: “CBC/Radio-Canada has been part of the EBU family since our foundation in 1950. As one of the world’s leading public broadcasters, it has already contributed hugely to our union — helping us set and uphold the standards of public service journalism that matter most right now. Full membership means we can now do even more together on platform accountability, on trusted news, on the resilience that public broadcasters need to build for the years ahead. Canada’s voice in this community makes us stronger.”
Non-European Entrants and Controversy
If Canada joins the song contest, it would become the latest non-European entrant. Australia has competed since 2015 despite only being an associate member of the EBU, and Israel has competed since 1973, having been a member of the EBU since 1957. Israel’s participation has faced scrutiny, with human rights group Amnesty International criticising the EBU for its failure to suspend Israel due to its actions in Gaza, calling it an act of “cowardice” and a “blatant double standard” compared to the suspension of Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. There were protests over Israel’s inclusion at this year’s contest in Austria, and Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia boycotted the event.
Recent Eurovision Winner
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest was won by Bulgaria’s entrant Dara with her song “Bangaranga,” meaning the 2027 contest will take place in Bulgaria for the first time.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
Founded in 1936 as a radio broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada is a multi-platform public service media company serving Canadians across six time zones in English, French, and eight Indigenous languages.
