Oh Canada, you haven’t earned your spot at Eurovision… just yet

Opinion by: Dale Roberts

Yesterday’s news of Canada exploring Eurovision participation caused quite the stir among fans around the world. 

For those catching up, budget papers from the Canadian government have revealed they are exploring participation in Eurovision.

The papers, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne read:

“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.”

Fans were split on the news.

A poll we ran on our social channels saw around half of respondents showing support for Canada joining while the other half were not so sure or downright opposed. 

Comparisons to Australia

A recurring comparison to Australia also came up, and it’s understandable why. 

Australia joined the 60th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in 2015. 

Next year, will be the 70th year of Eurovision, once again held in Vienna. 

The two nations are similar. Former colonies, an expansive land mass with a mid-size population, a good quality of life, strong democracies and a pretty laid back lifestyle and culture. 

We also get on well, we love Canadians, they are our 'snow bogan' cousins.

Additionally, Canadians have embraced Eurovision to a degree, regularly ranking high in the countries that vote as part of the Rest of the World. 

They were even due to have their own version of the Contest, with Eurovision Canada meant to kick off in 2023, yet nothing has eventuated. 

And, just like Australia, they have had many artists compete for other countries, including Celine Dion winning for Switzerland in 1988. 

So, does that mean our Canadian friends should be welcomed into Eurovision?

I’m sorry to say, it’s a big no from me at this stage. 

Australia earned its place

As tempting as it is to draw comparisons, when it comes to Eurovision, Canada is no Australia.

When Australia finally competed in Vienna in 2015, it wasn’t a sudden invitation.

We’d been broadcasting the contest every year since 1983 — more than three decades of consistent coverage.

We’d sent commentators to the contest initially for an experimental couple of years in the early 2000s, but a full-blown commentary team since Moscow 2009.

SBS invested in the production and built a genuine fan culture around it.

Eurovision became part of our national TV calendar long before we ever performed on its stage.

This was acknowledged by presenters during the broadcast, which led to an initial segment in 2013, then to an interval act in 2014, before we were fully on stage in 2015. 

That commitment and history mattered when the EBU extended the invitation.

Canada’s connection is still thin

Canada, on the other hand, hasn’t shown that same long-term dedication.

The broadcaster in question, CBC, is an Associate Member of the EBU, much like SBS (and ABC) are in Australia. 

However, it hasn’t even broadcast the Contest in recent years, let alone send a commentary team. 

Broadcasts in 2019 and 2021 were by OMNI Television, and earlier editions in 2014 and 2015 were by LGBTQIA+ broadcaster OUTtv.

Fans now have to watch the YouTube account to see the show. The closest they came to being involved was Celine Dion's special message to fans.

That’s hardly the same level of investment or cultural connection.

Before joining the contest, a broadcaster needs to cultivate that audience and commitment to make Eurovision part of its story.

Eurovision is built on connection and commitment, not convenience

Eurovision isn’t just a show, it’s a cultural event based on shared tradition built up over those 70 years. 

The Contest would just not work in its current form if it didn’t have those decades behind it. 

Letting in Australia was a huge change to the rules that previously said a nation must be an EBU Member. 

That was setting a precedent, but one made by decades of involvement and commitment. 

And even today, with all of that, we still continue to have to justify our involvement. 

If Canada were to enter suddenly without that history, it would risk feeling like a shortcut rather than a celebration.

External factors at play

There are external forces at play here which has always been a part of the Eurovision story. 

The relationship between Canada and the United States is at an all-time low, and the nation has looked to strengthen its historic ties with Europe. 

They've even connected with Australia on the continent, where Eurovision even came up in conversation between our two Prime Ministers.

While potentially boycotts over Israel competing (or some if they were removed), threaten the legitimacy of two semi-finals with numbers potentially reaching the low 30s. 

The EBU have circumvented this with the return of Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania. 

However, should a knee-jerk reaction to get Canada in be part of that strategy?

It’s the kind of short-term thinking that has us in the mess of 100% public vote semi-finals. 

Allowing Canada in without any sustained previous commitment sets a dangerous precedent. 

If they bring in Canada, why can’t other countries join?

And if they say yes to Canada but no to the United States or any other nation, is that not bordering on a political decision for a neutral organisation? 

Isn’t this a bit rich coming from an Australian?

Am I saying Canada joining would be a slippery slope, like many said when Australia joined? 

Perhaps. And perhaps I am a hypocrite; however, it is frustrating to see our two nations seen as the same when it is night and day when it comes to Eurovision. 

I don't hate Canada, I love the place, it's great to visit and they even gave us Degrassi!

They also have committed amazing fans, who I'm sure would love to see them in it.

I am not against them joining, I am against them joining right now. 

See - I love Canada! No hate!

The path forward

Do I expect a country to watch the show for 30 years, to then join? God, no. 

But there must be some level of commitment before rocking up to the big show. 

If CBC and Canada truly want to be part of Eurovision, there’s a clear path forward.

• Start broadcasting the contest every year.

• Send commentators to the shows.

• Invest in coverage, fan engagement, and cultural exchange.

• Build the excitement first — then join when the time is right, if EBU and Europeans want you to. 

Because Eurovision isn’t just something you join on a whim. 

It’s something you grow into.

And when Canada finally earns that moment on the Eurovision stage, it’ll mean all the more for having taken the time to get there.

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