Keeping in mind that it's truly impossible to please everyone, Curling Canada took one bold step toward making more people in the rock-and-broom community happy on Monday.

After years of speculation, the governing body for the sport in Canada is ready to make major changes to the format and rules for its two marquee events -- the Tim Hortons Brier and Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The decisions were approved at last week's annual general meeting in Collingwood, Ont.

Getting unanimous approval for anything in curling -- because of the uniqueness of the sport (a precious few do it almost full-time in Canada) -- is about as likely as the Washington Generals beating the Harlem Globetrotters in a best-of-seven series. But Curling Canada and its member associations gave it their best shot -- and the outcome at least appears promising.

"The whole challenge around this discussion is with the magic of the Brier and the Scotties, it's hard to know exactly what the secret sauce is comprised of," said Gerry Peckham, Curling Canada's director of high performance.

"We're very financially dependent on the success of our two flagship events and there are a lot of stakeholders involved -- television, sponsors, fans. The winners go on to the world championships and we need to ensure teams that come out of (the events) are capable of winning on the world stage. At the same time, it is a developmental event for a territory like Nunavut and an inclusionary event for other (member associations).

"So, it's how do you check all those boxes and maintain the integrity of the event, maintain the history and tradition and ensure there is sufficient fan appeal and that sponsors are fulfilled? You have to be pretty analytical before you jump into (changes)."

Here's what Curling Canada is doing:

-- In 2018, a new format will be adopted as a "pilot project," meaning adjustments could be made for future years. The project, which will be finalized at the AGM next year, will feature at least 14 teams (one for each association -- the 10 provinces, the three territories and Northern Ontario) at the Scotties and Brier -- up from 12. Do not be surprised if 16 is the magic number -- add Team Canada (the previous year's winner) and one more team (the Olympic qualifier, a Canada Cup winner or a top-ranked team not already included are among the ideas). Then, you could go with two pools of eight and come up with a new playoff format (eliminating the four-team page playoff system).

This means an end to pre-qualifying in 2018. Introduced this past season, pre-qualifying saw three of the lower-ranked associations square off for the final berth in the round robin over three days prior to the main event. Pre-qualifying drew loud criticism from several associations -- likely those that pushed hardest for changes. Curling Canada says the event still will fit into a nine-day window with more teams added.

-- Residency rules (which haven't had much teeth) are changing dramatically, starting this season. Now, each team will be allowed one out-of-province player -- but the other three players will be subject to stricter rules.

-- Junior-age teams will now be eligible to compete for spots in the Brier and Scotties.

"Because of the nature of (the discussion), there were lots of questions and some concerns," Peckham said. "But at the end of the day, everybody realized all three initiatives are in the best interest of the sport as a collective."

Residency rules, in particular, needed an examination.

Opinions on residency are all over the board -- there are some who think the provincial nature of the sport should disappear at the top level to allow elite players to pick and choose their teams, so you have a true best against best. This also would conceivably ensure Canada's Olympic representative is the best team the country can put together (the qualifying process for the Winter Games trials includes the Brier and Scotties).

But there is something to be said for tradition. Provincial rivalries are a big part of both events.

"This creates one free-agent opportunity," Peckham said. "With the elite teams, there was a fair bit of cross-border shopping for that essential player and this new rule reflects (that).

"It makes it easier for everyone. No one has to pretend they're living where (they say they are) by submitting it in the way of documentation."

Peckham said if any team is flagged for a potential violation, Curling Canada will have the power to reach out for further investigation and, if necessary, enforce changes.

MCEWEN HAS MIXED FEELINGS

Mike McEwen supports the new residency and age eligibility rules for Tim Hortons Brier competition.

However, the top-ranked men's skip in Canada last season is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to the new, expanded format, which will debut in 2018.

The Winnipeg native is concerned that the potential two-pool system will prevent certain enticing matchups.

"As a spectator, I want to see Brad Gushue and Newfoundland and Labrador face Brad Jacobs and Northern Ontario," said McEwen, adding that seeding also could be tricky. "You're guaranteed to have that (matchup) in a full round-robin ... (If he was a spectator), I want to watch the best curling in the world."

But McEwen is not bashing the move -- he's simply waiting to see the final results. He's also happy Curling Canada will evaluate the 2018 format before making future plans.

"I'm not for it and I'm not against it," he said. "I'm just not sure."