Earlier today, the 96th general assembly of the EBU was held in Prague, Czechia.
The members of the general assembly voted on several matters, including the promotion of Canada’s national broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada, from Associate Member to Full Member.
CBC has a long-standing relationship with the EBU.
CBC/Radio-Canada has been EBU’s Associate Member since 1950, and has collaborated with European public broadcasters on journalism, standards, and technology, and built productive partnerships with leading EBU Members.
As a full member, it will have access to the entire breadth of EBU collaboration, including Member-only networks for investigative journalism, verification, digital news and data, as well as the Eurovision News Exchange and Euroradio Music Exchange services.
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.”
Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO 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 cooperation 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.”
Becoming a full EBU member makes Canada eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Last November, it was reported that Mark Carney’s government discussed allocating a budget for the Eurovision purpose during the recent federal budget meeting.
Based on the Canadian broadcaster CBC‘s publication, the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is personally involved in making the country participate in Eurovision
The document includes the following quote:
CBC/Radio-Canada is part of our Canadian identity. Canada’s new government is protecting our national broadcaster by ensuring it has the resources needed to modernize and better deliver for Canadians, and to continue providing vital programming in both French and English. Budget 2025 proposes to provide $150 million in 2025-26 for CBC/Radio-Canada to strengthen its mandate to serve the public and to better reflect the needs of Canadians. The government will explore modernising CBC/Radio-Canada’s mandate to strengthen independence, and is working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore participation in Eurovision.
The Canadian Finance Minister, François‑Philippe Champagne, commented:
This was something that was asked by the people who participate, and I think it’s a platform for Canada to shine.
About CBC and Canada in Eurovision
CBC/Radio-Canada was founded in 1936.
The Canadian Eurovision community has shown a great interest in Eurovision over the years, with a strong following pattern over the years.
In 2022, we reported that Eurovision Canada is planned to air in 2023.
The contest should have featured 13 provinces and territories competing in a dedicated contest.
However, the contest has never been produced.
Some Canadian artists have represented other countries in the Eurovision Song Contest. Among them are Celine Dion (Switzerland 1988), Rykka (Switzerland 2016), Natasha St-Pier (France 2001), and La Zara (France 2023).
Eurovision 2027 will be held in Bulgaria in May 2027
