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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 May 15, 2026 +152
It's all fun and games until you WIN it and have to host it.
152
-SaC May 15, 2026 +51
And that's why you choose Father Ted and Father Dougal to represent you.
51
NiamhYeah May 15, 2026 +21
We have to lose that sax solo!
21
SatisfactionDry3038 May 15, 2026 +1
Yes and have to host a bunch of genocidal maniacs
1
Rogaar May 15, 2026 +646
What's wrong Eurovision? Running low on contestents?
646
Vast_Emergency May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +87
The funniest boycott ofcourse is Ireland who has decided to air episodes of the sitcom Father Ted instead of the contest.
87
AevnNoram May 15, 2026 +21
"Israel... nil points" will be pretty funny
21
ICC-u May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +34
I dont think the Irish are boycotting it over the gay aesthetics.
34
ICC-u May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +18
Against Israel? I think that stance sounds how it's supposed to.
18
MF-Geuze May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +2
> the UK Who have a great contestant this year. 10 points from Germany.
2
FoxyInTheSnow May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +170
The country that doesn't allow gay marriages to be performed within it?
170
Protean_Protein May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +1
No it isn’t.
1
iAgressivelyFistBro May 15, 2026 -65
This rebuttal is always used and it lacks any degree of nuance.
-65
AzettImpa May 15, 2026 +48
Israel is also bombing LGBTQ+ people in Gaza btw.
48
iAgressivelyFistBro May 15, 2026 -62
I'm sure if Israel saw Gazans waving pride flags in public they would absolutely avoid bombing them at all costs
-62
DummyDumDragon May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 -29
Hamas' rockets would be headed straight for any pride flag waving ambulance
-29
iPhoneXpensive May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 -28
Not a joke. Hamas would just throw a pride flag waving Gazan off of a roof top
-28
Lena-Luthor May 15, 2026 +5
there have been zero recorded instances of this happening. get another talking point
5
EpitomeAria May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +32
The Zone of Interest
32
ThatDM May 15, 2026 +54
Gay marriage is illegal in Israel btw
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Protean_Protein May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +42
That just sounds like theocracy
42
Protean_Protein May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +5
Pinkwashing isn't going to work when the world has watched videos of Israelis murdering children for years.
5
Regular_Use1868 May 15, 2026
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 May 15, 2026 +204
Israel is buying votes, other countries quit in protest
204
FocalFalcon May 15, 2026 -225
Politics aside, they put out bangers. However I know the entire competition is very political. I wish it wasn’t.
-225
-TheExtraMile- May 15, 2026 +58
They’ve been dropping bangers in Gaza too, that might be on people’s minds you know.
58
Tonedeafmusical May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026
Nothing in this world is apolitical, literarily nothing.
0
howdudo May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +60
That's wrong, Austria won.
60
No_Conversation_9325 May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +44
Celine Dion already had her kick at it.
44
Random-Crispy May 15, 2026 +49
The dream of having Angine De Poitrine at Eurovision with a massive budget is one step closer to reality. 🫸🔺🫷
49
SnakeskinJim May 15, 2026 +9
Sorry, best we can do is Nickelback.
9
BringHoomanHome_ May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +24
Not really, short of select groups of people
24
greydawn May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +12
I think a large proportion of those currently patriotic Canadians would side with the boycott of Eurovision.
12
Zhaeris May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +1
same here, would ordinarily love this but right now it is a HARD no.
1
Melonary May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +4
Azerbaijan *is* in Europe (well, half)
4
BringHoomanHome_ May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026
I guess those countries do not have a genocide to promote
0
NuPNua May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026
Thanks for letting us have our thing.
0
Kathdath May 15, 2026
Because then the Yanks would insist on being allowed in, and there would be no end to to arguments that causes.
0
SatisfactionDry3038 May 15, 2026 -4
They are working on a Zionistvision rebrand currently
-4
Dockers4flag2035orB4 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +8
We shall send Bbno$
8
Melonary May 15, 2026 +4
We already sent Celine, not representing Canada She won, btw
4
BringHoomanHome_ May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +2
Oy Oy Oy
2
TheRadBaron May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +1
Feels More like not America vision now.
1
grenamier May 15, 2026 +9
Maybe Celine can win one for us this time?
9
punkdrummer22 May 15, 2026 +16
Only if we can send Corky and The Juice Pigs with an appearance by Robin Sparkles
16
Faux-Foe May 15, 2026 +6
I understood both those references. Does your back hurt too?
6
Faux-Foe May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +1
There would be public backlash but our government are keen to show how few scruples they have.
1
Heimerdingerdonger May 15, 2026 +18
Canada can join instead of I>!celand!
18
International_Bee653 May 15, 2026 +35
I've been duped
35
Nickislander May 15, 2026 +49
Can Palestine join with us?
49
JoulSauron May 15, 2026 +3
Is any Palestinian broadcaster a member of the EBU?
3
Kathdath May 15, 2026 +2
No, but that is mainly due to Israeli government action forbidding any attempt.
2
Wise-Field-7353 May 15, 2026 +1
Ask Hatari
1
mido_sama May 15, 2026 -98
They already do under the westerners name Israel
-98
YooGeOh May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +5
So since Celine Dion is Canadian, do we get to retroactively claim the 1988 win?
5
Iskali May 15, 2026 +15
...and Smash Bros could have any Overwatch character they like. Doesn't mean Canada'd want it.
15
Kinasen May 15, 2026 +1
Mercy would punch Peach into next week. Just sayin'. Healers have a temper.
1
holidayz-jpg May 15, 2026 +16
Yeah, not until they kick out that one country
16
NewYorkais May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +1
Azerbaijan is an Apartheid state?
1
NewYorkais May 15, 2026 +1
Yes if you’re Armenian you’re forced out of your homeland
1
Kathdath May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 -1
With whose weapons did Azerbaijan ethnically cleanse the Karabakh?
-1
NewYorkais May 15, 2026 -3
So you agree, Azerbaijan should’ve boycotted, why were there no protests?
-3
UselessInsight May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +2
Israel can be kicked out too. Bunch of welfare queens living off my tax dollars.
2
UselessInsight May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +1
Obviously, Eurovision doesn't have a morality clause. And it's my tax dollars.
1
manonthelam May 15, 2026 +7
Sure right after Palestine
7
UselessInsight May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +2
Canada! Hey Canada! Play Ja Ja Ding Dong!
2
FocalFalcon May 15, 2026 +6
I’m a bit lost. Isn’t the whole point of Eurovision to have Euro countries only?
6
sight_ful May 15, 2026 +27
It hasnt been that way for many years now.
27
FocalFalcon May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 +15
San Marino is Europe ;)
15
carcrash12 May 15, 2026 +12
As is Moldova haha
12
bear3482 May 15, 2026 +6
Wait until you hear about Eurovision Asia.
6
FocalFalcon May 15, 2026 +6
Yall are sending me down a rabbit hole lol.
6
westboast May 15, 2026 +4
it’s just an eye surgery site
4
zelduuude May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +4
Egypt has never competed, you're thinking of Morocco
4
zelduuude May 15, 2026 +1
Sorry yes my bad. Egypt is eligible as a member of EBU.
1
SatisfactionDry3038 May 15, 2026
Old European colonial projects is also OK
0
t_ba May 15, 2026 +1
"Ne partez pas sans moi ! "
1
SatisfactionDry3038 May 15, 2026 +2
All supporters of the Israeli genocide are welcome to join Eurovision, says song contest director
2
NewYorkais May 15, 2026 -6
Why don’t you speak out about Azerbaijan ethnically cleansing Armenians whilst also participating?
-6
h2hawt May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 -1
I have. Have you?
-1
Tribe303 May 15, 2026 +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 May 15, 2026 +1
I nominate Canada’s DJ Crazy Times & Ms. Billjiana - Planet of the Bass
1
scruffye May 15, 2026 -9
"We'll take anyone except the USA. You stay over \*there\*."
-9
Agreeable-Race8818 May 15, 2026 -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 May 15, 2026 -1
People mentioning Celine Dione is exactly why we haven’t let any American countries in
-1
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