Canada will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.

Canada is the first non-European country to join the competition. Israel and Australia compete regularly, and Morocco competed in 1980.

The Carney government said in November it was working with Canada’s public broadcaster CBC to “explore participation in Eurovision”.

His government’s budget included C$150m (£80m) in funding for the broadcaster.

Eurovision rules state that participation in the contest is open to countries with broadcasting organizations that are members of the EBU.

Before Thursday, the CBC was an “associate member.”

“Canadian voices make us stronger in this community,” said EBU Director General Noel Curran.

In the year It is still uncertain whether members who withdrew in 2026 will participate next year.

Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have all withdrawn from the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) decision to allow Israel to participate.

Eurovision director Martin Green said ahead of this year’s contest in Vienna that the door was open for broadcasters to return.

“We have 35 members of our family here, and it’s enough to have a big party,” he told the BBC. But, you know, five (unavailable) and we miss it.

“I know when this show is over we’re going to pick up the conversation and see what comes next.”

This year’s event was won by Bulgarian pop star Dara with her song Bangrang. As a result, the 2027 tournament will be held in Sofia.