Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia withdrew from Eurovision 2026 because of Israel’s participation. Their broadcasters also boycotted the 2026 contest. This appears to have put the future of the competition under financial pressure. Bringing Canada into the contest may be one way to help offset the loss of participation fees.
“Rumours about a possible Canadian debut [in Eurovision] began circulating last year after a line buried in the federal budget revealed that the government was working with CBC/Radio-Canada to explore participation in Eurovision. Now, the contest’s director has suggested that the idea may not be as far-fetched as it sounds.” Y!Entertainment.
When Eurovision participation was included in the 2025 fall federal budget, two government sources said Prime Minister Mark Carney was personally involved in the initiative. Carney reportedly said, “We want Canadian culture on a global stage.”
At the time, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said, “I think it’s a platform for Canada to shine.” He also said, “This is about protecting our identity — yes, we want to protect our sovereignty, but we also want to support people in the arts sector and film industry so they can shine around the world. We have a lot to offer as Canadians.”
Preceding this year’s Eurovision event, 2000+ artists (including Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Macklemore, Paloma Faith, and many more) signed the No Music For Genocide letter campaign, criticizing European Broadcast Union’s decision to allow israel to compete in the 2026 competition, and the song contest being “used to whitewash and normalise Israel’s genocide, siege and brutal military occupation against Palestinians”. A similar campaign in 2025 by Artists for Palestine UK got support of over 70 former Eurovision participants to ban israel from the competition.
Reports indicate that the CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, has been in discussions with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about closer collaboration. A CBC delegation of observers also attended Eurovision 2026 in Vienna.
Amid protests by thousands of demonstrators and a boycott by five countries, Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard criticized the EBU for allowing Israel to participate, saying, “The failure of the European Broadcasting Union to suspend Israel from Eurovision, as it did with Russia, is an act of cowardice and an illustration of blatant double standards when it comes to Israel.”
It would be very misguided for Canada and the CBC to join Eurovision, while Israel continues to participate.
Call on Prime Minister Carney, the Canadian government, and the CBC not to join Eurovision.
Additional coverage
For additional info, check out the social media pages of Stuart MacLean, whom is a Toronto-based video producer who has covered the Eurovision Song Contest on YouTube. More recently, his coverage has taken a strictly critical approach because Eurovision continues to allow Israel to participate while refusing to hold it to the same standard applied to Russia.
Eurovision is Dying… It can only blame itself.
UN report calls out Eurovision. Their boss dismisses it.
Talking with Eurovision protesters in Malmo, Sweden
Canada’s Eurovision Bid is Suspicious
Boycott Apartheid! Boycott War Crimes! Boycott Genocide!