(by Donna Spencer, the Canadian Press)

SASKATOON – The Canadian men’s and women’s curling championships will look identical in the future, which means major changes to both, if the Canadian Curling Association has its way.

There are many scenarios that could be up for discussion at the CCA’s annual general meeting in June, including having the defending champion make a return trip to the following year’s Tim Hortons Brier, adding a Northern Ontario team to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and implementing a relegation round to keep each event a 12-team field.

“If it’s brought forward, it’s probably going to be the CCA board that’s going to bring this forward,” says Warren Hansen, the CCA’s director of event operations. “I would assume it would be brought forward for this meeting in June.”

It’s always been awkward that the winner of the Brier is not afforded the same luxury as the winner of the Scotties, which is an automatic berth in the next year’s championship. Also Northern Ontario has entered its own team in the men’s championship since the first tournament in 1927.

Click for full Canadian Press story in the Winnipeg Free Press