The Conference Board of Canada predicts a 0.5 per cent decline in the economy, and the loss of about 85,000 jobs within a year, if the North American Free Trade Agreement is terminated.

That would be the best-case scenario in a post-NAFTA world, the think-tank says in a new report.

Talks to renegotiate the trade deal enter an expected eighth round in the coming weeks.

While the conference board says its analysis suggests a modest impact on the Canadian economy, it adds several possible reactions are not considered, such as further U.S. trade actions, including non-tariff barriers and a stronger reaction from businesses.

This was excerpted from the 9 March 2018 edition of CBC News.