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.