	For the first time, the event was to be expanded to include entries from Nunavut, which has never participated in the Scotties, and Northern Ontario, which will now have a berth separate from (Southern) Ontario, as well as separate entries from the Yukon and Northwest Territories, which have historically competed as a single entry. The Nunavut Curling Association decided they were not ready to send teams to either the Scotties or the Brier, so will be sitting out this year's events.