Updated April 2022 – It has been announced that a Canadian version of the Eurovision Song Contest is being planned, find out more on Eurovoix World.
First Discussions For Eurovision Canada
During the mid-00s discussions began regarding the expansion of the Eurovision Song Contest around the world. One country which was named as a potential market for a future Eurovision Song Contest was Canada.
In 2006 Slate.com reported that alongside discussions about the potential for a Eurovision Song Contest spin-off in the United States, Canada was also being approached regarding a potential contest.
Reporting at the time did not provide any details about the discussions which were taking place. Nor, did they give any information about the format that the competition could have followed.
European Broadcasting Union Confirms Discussions
In early 2007 the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that discussions were underway regarding the Eurovision Song Contest format being sold in Canada. The EBU provided few details on the deal stating just;
The (Eurovision Formats) Unit is going to close an option deal with a Canadian company for a Canadian version.
However, by late 2007 mention of a deal with a Canadian company regarding the format was removed from the European Broadcasting Union’s website.
Possible Format
Based on the existing format of the Eurovision Song Contest and the plans for a Eurovision Song Contest format for the United States. It is likely that the Canadian version of the contest would have seen each of Canada’s provinces and territories competing against one another. The provinces of Canada are:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- New Foundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
Canada’s territories are:
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon
Canadian interest in Eurovision
Canada has a long-established interest in the Eurovision Song Contest, with a number of Canadian artists have performed at the Eurovision Song Contest. The most famous Canadian artist to have performed at the contest is Céline Dion, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 for Switzerland with the song “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi”.
Other Canadian artists to have competed in Eurovision;
- 1986 – Sherisse Laurence – Luxembourg – L’Amour De Ma Vie – 3rd – 117 points
- 1993 – Annie Cotton – Switzerland – Moi, Tout Simplement – 3rd – 148 points
- 2001 – Natasha St-Pier – France – Je N’Ai Que Mon Âme – 4th – 142 points
- 2016 – Rykka – Switzerland – The Last Of Our Kind – 18th (SF2) – 28 points
Canada has also previously participated in a Eurovision contest. In 1987 and 1989 Canada participated in Eurovision Young Dancers. Stephen Legate took part fro Canada in 1987, while Cherice Barton participated in the 1989 contest.
The Eurovision Song Contest was broadcast on delay by OutTV between 2014 and 2015. This marked the first time that the contest had been broadcast in decades. The contest has been broadcast by OMNI Television since 2019.
Image Source: EBU