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News & Current Events May 15, 2026 at 12:54 AM

Canada is welcome to join Eurovision, says song contest director

Posted by michaeldot_02


Canada is welcome to join Eurovision, says song contest director
the Guardian
Canada is welcome to join Eurovision, says song contest director
‘We know that Mark Carney wants to sort of embrace Europe,’ says competition director Martin Green

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Stray_Neutrino 18 hr ago +152
It's all fun and games until you WIN it and have to host it.
152
-SaC 17 hr ago +51
And that's why you choose Father Ted and Father Dougal to represent you.
51
NiamhYeah 17 hr ago +21
We have to lose that sax solo!
21
SatisfactionDry3038 8 hr ago +1
Yes and have to host a bunch of genocidal maniacs
1
Rogaar 18 hr ago +646
What's wrong Eurovision? Running low on contestents?
646
Vast_Emergency 18 hr ago +301
Yes, lots of boycotts this year; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwy9n786n0o For something we call the Gay Olympics in the UK it has always been immensely political and prone to fall out. It's also becoming more expensive to host and having more broadcasters involved spreads the cost a bit more rather than putting it on host cities.
301
bastugubbar 13 hr ago +87
The funniest boycott ofcourse is Ireland who has decided to air episodes of the sitcom Father Ted instead of the contest.
87
AevnNoram 12 hr ago +21
"Israel... nil points" will be pretty funny
21
ICC-u 11 hr ago -38
"Tonight, we're protesting against the glamorous LGBT friendly Eurovision, by bringing you a sitcom about corrupt and incompetent catholic priests, written by a transphobic incel"
-38
cerberus698 11 hr ago +34
I dont think the Irish are boycotting it over the gay aesthetics.
34
ICC-u 11 hr ago -37
No, but the stance they're making isn't really as good as it sounds, as much as I enjoyed Father Ted
-37
Regular_Use1868 11 hr ago +18
Against Israel? I think that stance sounds how it's supposed to.
18
MF-Geuze 10 hr ago +1
Why not?  Graham Linehan is not the only person involved in Father Ted, btw. I imagine the writers of most pieces of media broadcast 30 or 40 years ago might not share the sensibilities as you and I on many social issues 
1
Uberzwerg 9 hr ago +2
> the UK Who have a great contestant this year. 10 points from Germany.
2
FoxyInTheSnow 17 hr ago +250
F****** Israel is what’s wrong. They’re cheating again to get their plaintive ballad sung by a pretty, recently demobbed idf sniper about how she feels “רַע מְאוֹד” about shooting that mum in the head as she scurried across the town square to try to get some Musakhan for her hungry, now orphaned, kids.
250
virtual_adam 17 hr ago -264
I love how people are shocked the country who’s gay pride parade looks like [this](https://lgbtqcenter.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/48072389856_f0edd872e5_o-scaled.jpg) is popular in the Eurovision. Before the latest war you had huge cruise ships docking from Europe just for Tel Aviv pride
-264
Guy-Manuel 16 hr ago +170
The country that doesn't allow gay marriages to be performed within it?
170
Protean_Protein 13 hr ago -68
It doesn’t have _any_ civil marriages. There is nothing stopping you from having a party and using online marriage documents (as convoluted and inadequate as that is).
-68
a1b3c3d7 8 hr ago +1
??? Nothings stopping anyone doing that anywhere - saying that like its a legitimate alternative is f****** bizzare and seriously out of touch
1
Protean_Protein 8 hr ago +1
No it isn’t.
1
iAgressivelyFistBro 12 hr ago -65
This rebuttal is always used and it lacks any degree of nuance.
-65
AzettImpa 12 hr ago +48
Israel is also bombing LGBTQ+ people in Gaza btw.
48
iAgressivelyFistBro 12 hr ago -62
I'm sure if Israel saw Gazans waving pride flags in public they would absolutely avoid bombing them at all costs
-62
DummyDumDragon 11 hr ago +34
"is that a gay pride flag on that van? Best leave it alone..... Oh. No wait. It's just an ambulance... Bombs away!"
34
iAgressivelyFistBro 11 hr ago -29
Hamas' rockets would be headed straight for any pride flag waving ambulance
-29
iPhoneXpensive 9 hr ago +1
and they'd do nothing because israeli missiles would have already struck the ambulance, double-tapped the first responders, and blown up any uninvolved Palestinians in the vicinity at best, a hamas rocket could potentially hit the settler car that was brake checking the ambulance
1
AzettImpa 12 hr ago +39
Good joke. They see children and women pleading for lives, tens of thousands of them, and still bomb them. There’s no humanity left to appeal to any more.
39
iAgressivelyFistBro 11 hr ago -28
Not a joke. Hamas would just throw a pride flag waving Gazan off of a roof top
-28
Lena-Luthor 9 hr ago +5
there have been zero recorded instances of this happening. get another talking point
5
EpitomeAria 16 hr ago +154
You are pink washing a genocidal apartheid state. Also Israel have provably cheated and it uses Eurovision as a way to distract from the atrocities it is committing.
154
sqqqrt 16 hr ago +32
The Zone of Interest
32
ThatDM 14 hr ago +54
Gay marriage is illegal in Israel btw
54
Protean_Protein 13 hr ago -48
That’s a weird way to put it given that Israel’s current setup is that it’s impossible for _anyone_ to get married unless they do so in a religious setting. There are no civil unions for anyone in the country. However, it does _recognize_ those performed outside the country, including for Israeli citizens, including when it’s done online. So same-sex couples in Israel can get married using online documentation and it is fully recognized. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Israel So, yeah, weird, but way more permissive than pretty much all of South America, Africa, and Asia.
-48
HotSauce2910 13 hr ago +42
That just sounds like theocracy
42
Protean_Protein 13 hr ago -35
It does, except that unlike in a theocracy, your gay marriage or civil partnership is recognized in Israel legally. They just haven’t formally legalized a civil apparatus for marriage inside the country yet, for literally anyone. That may becoming soon, given popular support for it.
-35
equipmentelk 11 hr ago +14
Two of the first countries to legalize gay marriage in the world are out. In fact, it is legal in all of the countries that aren’t participating but not in Israel… Not to mention that these countries tend to also rank high in general when it comes to gay rights and acceptance but Israel doesn’t.
14
Responsible-Bunch316 9 hr ago +4
Completely ignoring the part about putting war criminals on stage, huh? I guess if they're gay war criminals it's alright?
4
jenny_905 9 hr ago +5
Pinkwashing isn't going to work when the world has watched videos of Israelis murdering children for years.
5
Regular_Use1868 10 hr ago
So.... Gay people are the most recent preferred victim of the American far right...  Pretty sure just like the teens in Iran the world's homosexuals can generally see American sentiment for what it is.
0
No_Conversation_9325 18 hr ago +204
Israel is buying votes, other countries quit in protest
204
FocalFalcon 18 hr ago -225
Politics aside, they put out bangers. However I know the entire competition is very political. I wish it wasn’t.
-225
-TheExtraMile- 12 hr ago +58
They’ve been dropping bangers in Gaza too, that might be on people’s minds you know.
58
Tonedeafmusical 11 hr ago +15
There last few songs (not listened to this year's because im not watching) have been middle of the road ballads with sob story performers attached to them.
15
No_Conversation_9325 10 hr ago
Nothing in this world is apolitical, literarily nothing.
0
howdudo 15 hr ago -95
Everyone was upset when Israel won last year and people hated them then less than they do now. So this year if they win again it might just kill the competition 
-95
FearGaeilge 15 hr ago +60
That's wrong, Austria won.
60
No_Conversation_9325 10 hr ago -3
I hope Israel wins actually, so that corrupted Eurovisions moves there and never comes back. This shit show shouldn’t take place in Europe anymore.
-3
Milligoon 18 hr ago +44
Celine Dion already had her kick at it.
44
Random-Crispy 18 hr ago +49
The dream of having Angine De Poitrine at Eurovision with a massive budget is one step closer to reality. 🫸🔺🫷
49
SnakeskinJim 17 hr ago +9
Sorry, best we can do is Nickelback.
9
BringHoomanHome_ 18 hr ago +150
Honestly, Canada joining Eurovision would probably be one of the least surprising things to happen at this point .The contest already feels bigger than just Europe anyway. Australia joined years ago and people were skeptical at first, but now most viewers don’t even question it anymore. If Canada actually entered, I could see it becoming insanely popular there because Canadians already follow a lot of international music and pop culture. At the end of the day Eurovision stopped being just a geography thing a long time ago — now it’s basically a giant global entertainment event with chaos, memes, politics, amazing vocals and absolute disasters all mixed together lol.
150
goater10 18 hr ago +39
Does Canada have the same level of attachment to Eurovision that Australia has? We've been watching it from afar since the 70s before we were invited to perform.
39
GullibleDetective 15 hr ago +24
Not really, short of select groups of people
24
greydawn 14 hr ago +10
No, not nearly to that level. I think a decent chunk of us are at least vaguely aware of it, but I'm not aware of it being aired on Canadian networks. I think most of our awareness is occasional clips that pop up on Youtube. It would be a cool opportunity to bond on a pop culture level with Europe, though.
10
Smart_Resist615 14 hr ago +8
No, but I think Canada being on an international stage would draw a lot of eyeballs. The mood is very patriotic ATM.
8
Regular_Use1868 10 hr ago +12
I think a large proportion of those currently patriotic Canadians would side with the boycott of Eurovision.
12
Zhaeris 9 hr ago +1
Dang right! I am Canadian and patriotic at this moment and I hope we stay far far away until the *problem* bits are sorted..
1
Cheese2009 8 hr ago +1
same here, would ordinarily love this but right now it is a HARD no.
1
Melonary 15 hr ago +4
We used to have closer ties to European music in general, lots of hits here in the 90s and 00s but not US from European acts (and prior) and after that with media consolidation and streaming it shifted more US. I'd say while some Canadians watch Eurovision and always have, maybe it's less prominent than in Aus, but I think it could catch on real fast. But I'd rather not join the year it's being boycotted over Israel (for good reason)
4
deep_shiver 15 hr ago +4
I have no idea. I'm Canadian and I know very little about it aside from it being a European pop music contest
4
RelaxedWombat 18 hr ago +31
So weird… Why not just rebrand it World-vision or something similar? The whole Euro seemed really cool. Let them have their thing. Or build two.
31
Zubon102 18 hr ago +51
That's a common misconception because of the name. It has never been limited to European countries. It is limited to public broadcasters who broadcast within the European Broadcasting Union. That's why some countries actually in Europe are ineligible, but countries like Azerbaijan are.
51
chelceec 12 hr ago +8
Australia is also a member of the European Broadcasting Union through SBS, that's one of the reasons they were invited. That and that post WWII a lot of migrants from European nations came to Australia and so it's been popular here for a long time.
8
Kathdath 9 hr ago +3
SBS started airing the Eurovision contest after it was realised just how many VHS players were getting sold to watch tv recordings of Eurovision were being imported into Australia.
3
LinkLinkleThreesome 13 hr ago +4
Azerbaijan *is* in Europe (well, half)
4
BringHoomanHome_ 18 hr ago +22
I get what you mean honestly, but I think Eurovision crossed the “Europe only” line a long time ago Australia joining already changed the vibe permanently. At this point it feels more like a giant international entertainment event with European roots than a strict regional competition. Still, “Worldvision” does sound like the kind of name they’d actually use someday lol
22
zoobrix 13 hr ago +5
World Vision is also the name of a Christian charity that helps impoverished people. There has also been some accusations of poor use of donations and that it still essentially proselytizes despite claiming they don't. So I think it's unlikely Eurovision would change their name to it, not to mention that World Vision would surely object and I would think have a good case that it would be confusing and potentially damaging to their brand, such as it is.
5
RelaxedWombat 18 hr ago +6
Even As a rare American who leaves this country…. My first into to Eurovision was the Will Farrell movie. Just a thing that doesn’t transmit into our culture/ daily life. We don’t see it. Thus, I just expected it to be constrained by continental boundaries.
6
DangerousCyclone 13 hr ago +3
The contest is open to any country which syndicates European television, so the actual number of countries which can join is a lot higher and a little unexpected. For instance, countries from North Africa to Iraq can join in, not just Israel, but Jordan and Lebanon as well, they just don't.
3
SatisfactionDry3038 13 hr ago
I guess those countries do not have a genocide to promote
0
NuPNua 13 hr ago -1
Would be interesting to see if the boycotting nations are as opposed to other human rights abusers like China being entrants or if it's just an Israeli thing wouldn't it?
-1
codroipo_townhall 14 hr ago
Thanks for letting us have our thing.
0
Kathdath 9 hr ago
Because then the Yanks would insist on being allowed in, and there would be no end to to arguments that causes.
0
SatisfactionDry3038 13 hr ago -4
They are working on a Zionistvision rebrand currently
-4
Dockers4flag2035orB4 18 hr ago +8
Canada produces some great Indie artists. It would be very fitting for them to join Eurovision. Btw How good is Aussie Delta’s “Eclipse” The one to beat this year. Aussie Aussie Aussie.
8
Cybertopia 17 hr ago +8
We shall send Bbno$
8
Melonary 15 hr ago +4
We already sent Celine, not representing Canada She won, btw
4
BringHoomanHome_ 18 hr ago +11
That’s honestly one of the biggest reasons I think Canada would fit in surprisingly well. Eurovision has always had this weird mix of mainstream acts and really unique indie artists that suddenly explode internationally overnight. Canada already has a huge music culture and a lot of artists that would probably thrive in that kind of audience. And yeah Australia really proved that the “non-European country” thing can work if people genuinely enjoy the performances. At this point Eurovision feels more like a global music spectacle than a strict regional contest anyway.
11
anonymous_for_this 10 hr ago +2
Oy Oy Oy
2
TheRadBaron 13 hr ago +2
Canada's PM is a lot more uncritically pro-Israel than the Canadian population at this point, but it still seems unlikely for Canada to join a Eurovision that is bleeding participants to side with Israel. We'd love closer integration with Europe, but we're not naive enough to ignore why the invitation is coming in 2026.
2
Quick_Parsley_5505 8 hr ago +1
Feels More like not America vision now.
1
grenamier 18 hr ago +9
Maybe Celine can win one for us this time?
9
punkdrummer22 18 hr ago +16
Only if we can send Corky and The Juice Pigs with an appearance by Robin Sparkles
16
Faux-Foe 17 hr ago +6
I understood both those references. Does your back hurt too?
6
Faux-Foe 17 hr ago +30
I'm doubtful they would. Something tells me they would abstain for the same reasons as the 5 countries that pulled out in protest. Eurovision should look into developing some ethics and stop chasing the money.
30
ThatDM 14 hr ago +1
There would be public backlash but our government are keen to show how few scruples they have.
1
Heimerdingerdonger 18 hr ago +18
Canada can join instead of I>!celand!
18
International_Bee653 18 hr ago +35
I've been duped
35
Nickislander 17 hr ago +49
Can Palestine join with us?
49
JoulSauron 10 hr ago +3
Is any Palestinian broadcaster a member of the EBU?
3
Kathdath 9 hr ago +2
No, but that is mainly due to Israeli government action forbidding any attempt.
2
Wise-Field-7353 9 hr ago +1
Ask Hatari
1
mido_sama 17 hr ago -98
They already do under the westerners name Israel
-98
YooGeOh 13 hr ago +6
What is the criteria for a country being invited to Eurovision? Why Australia, Israel and Canada, and not Algeria, Nigeria, and India?
6
AevnNoram 12 hr ago +17
be an active member of the European Broadcasting Union or an associate member and be invited. Australia and Canada are associate members. Israel is a full member. Algeria is eligible to participate but chooses not to.
17
IgnahtaSempria 16 hr ago +5
So since Celine Dion is Canadian, do we get to retroactively claim the 1988 win?
5
Iskali 18 hr ago +15
...and Smash Bros could have any Overwatch character they like. Doesn't mean Canada'd want it.
15
Kinasen 18 hr ago +1
Mercy would punch Peach into next week. Just sayin'. Healers have a temper.
1
holidayz-jpg 17 hr ago +16
Yeah, not until they kick out that one country
16
NewYorkais 12 hr ago -12
Is it Azerbaijan? For ethnically cleansing Nagorno-Karabakh of Armenians? Or do you only care about one state for a specific reason for some reason (anti-semitism)?
-12
Ok_Instance7667 8 hr ago +1
Azerbaijan is an Apartheid state?
1
NewYorkais 8 hr ago +1
Yes if you’re Armenian you’re forced out of your homeland
1
Kathdath 9 hr ago +1
Why do you consider the dislike of the Israeli governments treatment of Palestinians (namely the vast majority unaligned to Hamas) considered antisemetic?
1
samoyedboi 11 hr ago -1
With whose weapons did Azerbaijan ethnically cleanse the Karabakh?
-1
NewYorkais 11 hr ago -3
So you agree, Azerbaijan should’ve boycotted, why were there no protests?
-3
UselessInsight 12 hr ago -5
I think he means Iceland. Which is fair. They’ve never won and don’t really send good talent to begin with.
-5
Faptainjack2 11 hr ago +2
Israel can be kicked out too. Bunch of welfare queens living off my tax dollars.
2
UselessInsight 11 hr ago -2
That’s silly. Israel has won Eurovision multiple times. Why would they be kicked out? Also whose tax dollars? The United States? They’re not even part of Eurovision.
-2
Faptainjack2 11 hr ago +1
Obviously, Eurovision doesn't have a morality clause. And it's my tax dollars.
1
manonthelam 13 hr ago +7
Sure right after Palestine
7
UselessInsight 11 hr ago -5
Eurovision is a pretty queer friendly space. Lot of the performers identify as such. Might be kind of awkward to host Eurovision in a country that’s extremely hostile to LGBT people. Maybe just stick with Canada eh?
-5
Kathdath 9 hr ago +3
... Hamas is a single Islamic political party in province, they do not and never have represented the majority Palestinian people. Not all Palestinians are Muslim btw...
3
Rakastaakissa 17 hr ago +2
Canada! Hey Canada! Play Ja Ja Ding Dong!
2
FocalFalcon 18 hr ago +6
I’m a bit lost. Isn’t the whole point of Eurovision to have Euro countries only?
6
sight_ful 17 hr ago +27
It hasnt been that way for many years now.
27
FocalFalcon 17 hr ago -6
Oh wow I just checked and you’re absolutely right. I usually watch like top 10, 15 song compilations. I haven’t noticed that countries like, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, San Marino, and so are have been in there for years.
-6
codroipo_townhall 14 hr ago +15
San Marino is Europe ;)
15
carcrash12 12 hr ago +12
As is Moldova haha
12
bear3482 17 hr ago +6
Wait until you hear about Eurovision Asia.
6
FocalFalcon 17 hr ago +6
Yall are sending me down a rabbit hole lol.
6
westboast 16 hr ago +4
it’s just an eye surgery site
4
zelduuude 16 hr ago +8
Israel has been in the Eurovision for over 50 years. Egypt competed once too. It’s never been a “Euro” country only thing. It is founded by the European Broadcasting Union which , contrary to the name, extends outside of Euro-zone, EU, or Europe.
8
MightyHead 13 hr ago +4
Egypt has never competed, you're thinking of Morocco
4
zelduuude 8 hr ago +1
Sorry yes my bad. Egypt is eligible as a member of EBU.
1
SatisfactionDry3038 13 hr ago
Old European colonial projects is also OK
0
t_ba 12 hr ago +1
"Ne partez pas sans moi ! "
1
SatisfactionDry3038 13 hr ago +2
All supporters of the Israeli genocide are welcome to join Eurovision, says song contest director
2
NewYorkais 12 hr ago -6
Why don’t you speak out about Azerbaijan ethnically cleansing Armenians whilst also participating?
-6
h2hawt 12 hr ago +5
Then you do it. Same for other conflicts alike. Eurovision is a joke for banning some but not others, same with the whole EU making decisions that we don't get a vote on. Some countries have to pay a higher price on fuels just because a witch deemed so?  A very good idea but a terrible execution.
5
SatisfactionDry3038 10 hr ago -1
I have. Have you?
-1
Tribe303 17 hr ago +1
The countries in Eurovision are based on the regional music publishing rights organizations they belong to. That's why some non European countries are already included. 
1
lordtekken_2 16 hr ago +1
I nominate Canada’s DJ Crazy Times & Ms. Billjiana - Planet of the Bass
1
scruffye 16 hr ago -9
"We'll take anyone except the USA. You stay over \*there\*."
-9
Agreeable-Race8818 18 hr ago -8
I always thought Quebec deserves a spot in Eurovision. They are fr\*nch speaking and have much stronger European influence than the rest of the country (which also has a non-negligible influence).
-8
NoMention696 14 hr ago -1
People mentioning Celine Dione is exactly why we haven’t let any American countries in
-1