O Canada! As Pride Month winds down, and Canada Day approaches, Canadians have another reason to celebrate this weekend as Crave and OUTtv announced today an unprecedented partnership that extends the reach of international television phenomenon, RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE in Canada. This partnership includes the new Crave Original Series, DRAG RACE CANADA, the first-ever Canadian adaptation of the show.

Says Ru:

“I am proud to announce that the Drag Race family is expanding as Crave is about to begin production on DRAG RACE CANADA. The panel and judges will be from the Great White North, representing Canada’s very best. This new franchise has my whole-hearted blessing. Good luck…and don’t puck it up!”

via the press release:

Produced by World of Wonder, RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE has become a world-wide movement since its premiere in 2009. After 11 Seasons and more than 100 competitors, the series has garnered nine-Emmy Awards; critical praise; a legion of fans including mega-celebrities from Katy Perry to Anne Hathaway to Henry Rollins; and a world-renowned drag and pop culture convention, RuPaul’s DragCon, in Los Angeles and New York City .

Now, DRAG RACE is sashaying to the North and producers are on the look-out for the country’s most sick’ning artists to slay the competition, and be crowned Canada’s first Drag Superstar. Produced by Blue Ant Studios, DRAG RACE CANADA combines elements of the classic fan-favourite, with a healthy serving of Canadian maple shade, and likely, some Canadian bacon. Casting begins this summer on the 10-episode, one-hour original series, with production to begin this fall in Ontario. The DRAG RACE CANADAhost and judges will be announced at a later date.

“As Canada’s only homegrown major streaming service, Crave strives to represent all Canadians and we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the Canadian drag community and their contribution to LGBTQ2+ culture,” said Justin Stockman, Vice-President, Premium SVOD and OTT, Bell Media. “This is an important franchise that has brought drag from niche to mainstream, and we can’t wait to extend the DRAG RACE runway all the way into Canada. Through our partnership with Brad Danks at OUTtv and World of Wonder, along with a passionate and growing Canadian fan base, the time is right to lip-sync for our lives, and crown Canada’s first drag superstar.”

“RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE has brought charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to OUTtv for almost 10 years,” said Brad Danks, CEO OUTtv Network.  “We are thrilled to partner with Crave and World of Wonder to give Canadian drag artists the chance to compete for the crown on DRAG RACE CANADA and bring future seasons, including RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK, to OUTtv and Crave.”

“Canadian drag is world class and we could not be more excited to bring these artists and their stories to Crave,” said Sam Sniderman, EVP Global Productions, Blue Ant Studios. “We are thrilled to be working with WOW on this legendary and game-changing global format.”

“We are excited to be working with Crave and OUTtv to grow the drag experience for Canadian audiences, and shine the spotlight on Canadian queens,” said Executive Producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, World of Wonder.