Just a few points, going from major to minor.
With all due respect..this seems impossible.
http://chess.ca/crosstable?tournamen...008&key=181219 last Zonal as an example. Out of 29 players, I count 9 that are not Montreal based. These trips, even for 5 days, are quite expensive.
Here is the biggest recent Kingston tournament I found.
http://chess.ca/crosstable?tournamen...094&key=181219
I don't see how Kingston can hope to attract 100 paying players (with 30 Zonal players - zero locals in Kingston). I am not sure why an 1800 would be excited to play 9 rounds, either.
If I remember correctly, prizes in Montreal were similar, but were not based on 100 paying players (so what benefits does the 2018 Canadian Sports Tourism Alliance provide.. hotel deals?)
Also, I think its great to have the Canadian Championship more often (once a year), but with the low projected prize fund + non chess location, I can't see how it will be attractive for top players to participate. That would devalue the title.
- US$1000 for Appeals Committee Chair, $2600: Arbiter fees (wow, on both accounts.)
-GM = free entry & double occupancy room (by March 31st) (it seems the 'handbook guideline' is being followed this time - why?)
- Anti-cheating - I was unable to find it on the internet right now, but I am pretty sure FIDE asks for certain procedures to be followed at the official FIDE events (I assume a Zonal is such) for anti-cheating purposes. Metal detectors, etc.
- Computer tiebreak instead of playoffs. Personally, not a fan.