Announced on Canada Day, the country will participate in next year’s edition of the international song competition held in Bulgaria. From Carly Rae Jepsen to bbno$, here's who people online would like to see represent the country.
To commemorate Canada Day, it was announced that Canada will make its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, held in Bulgaria.
Last week, it was reported that the country was eligible to enter the famous music event after CBC/Radio Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). While the national broadcaster has been an associate member of the EBU since 1950, its full member status allows it to compete in Eurovision, further nurturing the relationship between Canada and Europe.
"On this Canada Day, as we celebrate with Canadians across the country and around the world the richness and diversity of Canadian culture, we're so excited to confirm that we're bringing the world's largest live music event to Canadians," says Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. “Our participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, starting next year in Bulgaria, will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the most storied music stages in the world.”
advertisement
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his excitement in a Canada Day address, noting that "the world needs more Canada."
Every year, organizers of the international music competition invite an array of guest countries to participate, with each performer submitting an original song to represent their nation. Over the years, the event has been a launching pad for emerging singers and artists.
Users on social media have been sending their suggestions of who should represent Canada.
“carly rae your mission, should you choose to accept it,” writes one user on X, referencing pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen.
Following the news of Canada’s eligibility for Eurovision, many users have brought viral Vancouver artist bbno$ into the conversation. “why do i feel like we're gonna send bbno$ to eurovision,” one X user wrote.
One user has another suggestion for who Carney might put forward:
advertisement
“seeing a lot of people saying we are going to send bbno$ when in reality mark carney’s plot all along has been to get his favourite band down with webster to eurovision it’s actually the entire reason he became prime minister,” writes a user named Liz.
Another X user has a heavier suggestion: “CBC has just announced that the progressive metalcore band Spiritbox will represent Canada at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, in Bulgaria!”
One user gives a quartet of options, including Jepsen and bbno$, alongside Alessia Cara and Faouzia.
On Billboard Canada's Facebook post, charting rock star TALK puts his own name forward: "This would be my dream," he writes.
No official news has been released about which artist — or artists — will represent Canada at Eurovision next year.
While 2027 marks the first year that the country will be an official member of Eurovision, a handful of homegrown acts have represented other countries in the contest, including Céline Dion, Sherisse Laurence, Annie Cotton, Natasha St-Pier, Rykka and La Zarra.
Dion represented Switzerland and won the competition with her performance of “Ne partez pas sans moi” in 1988. Last year, Dion returned to the competition virtually to show support for its semi-finalists.
advertisement
“Canada has a proud and memorable connection to the contest, with Canadian artists, not least 1988 winner Céline Dion, having taken to our stage many times leaving a lasting mark on audiences around the world,” says Martin Green, Eurovision Song Contest’s director, of yesterday’s announcement.
“With CBC/Radio-Canada now able to participate in the Contest as a full EBU Member, we look forward to seeing Canada bring its own voice, creativity, and energy to the Eurovision Song Contest stage in Bulgaria in 2027.”
