Canada pushes to join Eurovision: This is about protecting our identity'

"When Canada released its federal budget this month, much of it was standard fare, from the plans to downsize the public service to the boost in defence spending. But one line tucked in the nearly 500-page document has captured imaginations on both sides of the Atlantic: a mention that the government is working with Canada's national broadcaster to explore participation in the Eurovision song contest. When asked about the line, the country's finance minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, said the proposal to join the glitzy TV extravaganza had come from the people who participate. He did not specify whether he was referring to specific countries or the European Broadcasting Union, who organises the contest."

"I think it's a platform for Canada to shine, Champagne told broadcaster Global News last week. This is about protecting our identity yes, we want to protect our sovereignty, but you also want to help people in the arts sector and in the film industry to make sure they can shine around the world. And we have a lot to offer as Canadians."

"In recent months, as Donald Trump's takes aim at Canada's sovereignty and slaps tariffs on its economy, the Canadian government has scrambled to deepen its relationships with allies around the world. In March, the country's prime minister, Mark Carney, made a point of visiting France and the UK on his first overseas trip as prime minister, seizing on the visit to declare Canada the most European of the non-European countries."

Canada's federal budget contains a line stating the government is working with the national broadcaster to explore participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said the proposal came from the people who participate and did not clarify whether that referred to specific countries or the European Broadcasting Union. CBC-Radio Canada is an associate member of the EBU; Australia was invited to join Eurovision in 2015. The initiative is presented as a way to help the arts and film sectors, protect identity and sovereignty, and deepen Canada's ties with European allies amid tensions with the United States.

Read at www.theguardian.com