Canadian broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada has officially unveiled the five finalists competing in Canada’s Choice, the national selection process to determine the country’s first-ever performer at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
The shortlisted contenders—William Cloutier, Josiane, Rêve, Talk, and Tyler Shaw—were revealed following an application window that drew 325 submissions between August 31 and September 9, narrowed down by music teams and an expert jury.
The Skim-Reader Takeaways
- The Public Vote: Eligible voters residing in Canada can cast votes for their preferred artist online until voting closes on November 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Voters can cast up to ten votes during the voting period.
- Artist Selection First: Unlike standard national formats, Canada’s Choice focuses entirely on choosing the representative artist first, who will then collaborate with music industry professionals to develop a bespoke song. The winning finalist will be responsible for crafting their own song to perform at Eurovision.
- International Precedent: Canada’s delegation has actively consulted experienced delegations, including Australia’s SBS team, as it prepares for its debut.
Meet the Five Finalists Vying for Canada’s Eurovision Debut
William Cloutier enters the race with extensive stage experience, having performed the role of Johnny Rockfort in the musical Starmania more than 360 times across Europe and Quebec. Alongside him is Josiane, who won La Voix in 2020. Talk, known globally for the hit “Run Away to Mars,” adds to the lineup. Tyler Shaw rounds out the group, bringing international streaming success, including his 2022 viral rendition of GAYLE’s hit, “Love You Still (abcdefu Romantic Version)”, alongside a career that spans his 2012 breakout hit “Kiss Goodnight”, a Juno nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2014, his debut album Yesterday in 2015, and his 2021 third studio album and holiday release, A Tyler Shaw Christmas.
Drawing From International Precedent and Delegation Support
As Canada steps onto the Eurovision stage for the very first time, the national broadcaster is leaning on seasoned veterans for guidance. Jennifer Dettman, CBC’s Executive Director of Unscripted Content and Head of Delegation, revealed during a media event that she maintains regular contact with Emily Griggs, Australia’s Head of Delegation at SBS.
While Canada is the newest addition to the contest since Australia’s 2015 debut, the country’s historical ties to Eurovision run deep. Céline Dion notably won the 1988 contest representing Switzerland with “Ne partez pas sans moi,” under rules that do not require artists to hold citizenship in the country they represent.
Voting Mechanics and Timeline to the 2027 Contest
With the finalists now public, the decision rests entirely with the Canadian public. Fans can view individual performances and cast their ballots at the official CBC portal. Voting remains open exclusively to residents within Canada before the window shuts on November 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
| Selection Stage | Key Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Application Window | August 31 – September 9 | 325 initial submissions evaluated by CBC/Radio-Canada music teams and jury. |
| Finalist Reveal | October 27, 2026 | Five finalists announced during a special broadcast in Toronto. |
| Public Voting Closes | November 5, 2026 | Final cut-off for Canadian residents to cast votes online. |
| Winner Announcement | November / December 2026 | Winning artist revealed before collaborating on an original song for Bulgaria. |
Once the public selects the winning artist by December 2026, the chosen performer and the broadcaster will work alongside music industry professionals to craft the final song and stage presentation ahead of the semi-finals in May 2027.
