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Among the open queries was how — or if — the federal government will compensate dairy farmers, who learned their protected sector is to be opened up by 3.25 per cent to foreign competition.

That concession on Canada’s supply-managed dairy sector was the same as the one outlined in the original TPP deal, which was negotiated by the previous Conservative government. But it remained unclear Tuesday if Ottawa would offer dairy farmers the same $4.3-billion compensation package put forward by the Tories.

“It’s a pretty sombre day for the 220,000 Canadians that depend on dairy for their livelihood,” said Jacques Lefebvre, CEO of the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Many sectors in Canada, including much of the country’s agricultural industry, applauded the deal. But even those who thought the deal would likely be a positive for Canada approached the announcement with some doubts — at least until the fine print comes out.

“Signing another free-trade agreement is not a panacea,” said Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters president Dennis Darby, who was optimistic about the agreement.

“The devil will be in the details… It’s not so much the tariffs, but what are the other elements of this deal? Because it’s the non-tariff barriers that have sometimes proven to be difficult for Canada.”

Right up until the announcement, Ottawa was pushing for more progress on negotiations surrounding the automotive and cultural sectors.

International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne pressed his counterparts for an exemption on culture-related elements that had been part of the original TPP deal. A government official said Canada will protect its cultural sector in the updated deal through legally binding side letters with each partner.