Canwest is hoping to build on the popularity of U.S. import Glee by encouraging talented singers in Canadian workplaces to form glee clubs and perform in a new reality competition series, the broadcaster announced on Monday.

Tentatively titled Canada Sings!, the one-hour series will challenge ordinary Canucks such as nurses, firemen, and chefs to collaborate with their co-workers and compete in a ‘glee-off,’ where they will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges for a chance to win a donation to the charity of their choice.

The series will travel to two Canadian workplaces each week to scout talent for a glee club that will audition, rehearse and perform in front of a live studio audience.

The series is produced by John Brunton’s Insight Productions, the company behind CBC’s hit reality competition Battle of the Blades, and will debut in early 2011.

‘Watching the behind-the-scenes dynamic in a workplace and acknowledging the hidden talents of colleagues can be both dramatic and exciting. There’s something magical about uncovering what your co-worker can do,’ Brunton tells Playback Daily.

A big fan of Glee himself, Brunton says the musical comedy is changing culture so that people are able to ‘showcase their inner performer’ all over the world.

Auditions for Canada Sings! is now getting underway. Canwest will announce the show host and judging panel closer to the broadcast date.