OTTAWA - The federal government says it has completed a legal review of the Canada-EU free trade agreement and it expects the deal to take effect next year.

International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland says the deal has been modified to allow for a permanent dispute-settlement tribunal and an appeal system, among other measures.

Freeland says she is confident the agreement will be signed this year.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for the trade deal, known as CETA, which has been in the works for years between Canada and the 28-member European Union.

More Coming.