C’est officiel: Canada is joining the Eurovision Song Contest.
Last week, the North American country became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which owns and runs the contest, after they were voted in at the EBU’s general assembly in Prague.
The move makes them eligible to participate in the annual singing competition and today it was confirmed the country intends to take part next year.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly raised the idea of joining Eurovision in his 2025 budget. It is unknown if Carney, who spent a number of years living in the U.K. when he was governor of the Bank of England, is a Eurovision fan but he is apparently looking to build closer economic and political ties with Europe.
The country more generally is crazy for the contest. Despite not being able to participate in this year’s competition in Vienna, Canada turned out to be one of the most enthusiastic voting blocs, coming in the top 3 countries in the “rest of the world” vote, while Canadians were also among the largest group of ticket-buyers outside of Europe for the semi-final and grand final in Europe.
