Canada is gearing up for its first appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest, with high hopes of making an impact. The country faces the decision of whether to draw inspiration from Céline Dion’s classic ballad success or to embrace the quirky and unconventional style Eurovision is known for. As the search for the perfect representative begins, the portal is now open for aspiring performers to apply.

To qualify, applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or older by May 1, 2027, capable of international travel and passing background checks. Alongside these criteria, candidates must submit two videos showcasing their live performance skills and sharing their passion for Eurovision.

Notable contenders have already emerged, including Rêve, a Montreal native who secured the 2023 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year, Talk, recognized as the breakthrough artist of the year in 2024, and bbno$, a two-time Fan Choice Juno winner in 2025 and 2026.

The selection process, overseen by CBC/Radio-Canada, involves a shortlist of finalists chosen by music and television experts, along with industry professionals. While established artists are favored in this inaugural year, emerging talents are encouraged to step forward for consideration.

The chosen artist will play a pivotal role in shaping the final Eurovision entry, collaborating with songwriters and participating in various pre-show preparations. The selected performer will be kept busy with songwriting, music video production, and rehearsals leading up to the Grand Final in May.

Despite the workload, artists will receive compensation for their efforts, with the ultimate reward being the exposure garnered from the global audience of Eurovision. The final decision on Canada’s representative is expected before winter, setting the stage for an exciting debut on the Eurovision platform.