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It is being touted as one of the biggest free-trade deals in history — but is it good for Canada?

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), currently under negotiation between 12 Pacific Rim countries, will give Canadian businesses greater access to foreign markets — and 800-million new customers — through the elimination of tariffs and barriers, supporters say.

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But critics call it “NAFTA on steroids,” warning that a deal will weaken protections that the dairy and poultry industries currently enjoy, lead to further erosion of the manufacturing sector and threaten everything from Internet freedom to the operation of Crown corporations.

Polling has shown that most Canadians know little about it. Here’s an overview:

What is it?

The partnership involves Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Chile, Peru and Brunei. High-level, closed-door meetings in late July in Hawaii failed to clinch a deal, but talks are set to resume in Atlanta.