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However, a spokesman for Germany’s Ministry of Economics and Energy said Monday that “does not reflect the position of the government and the ministry.”

Still, Tobias Dunow, speaking at a news conference in Berlin, said the German government does not feel it is necessary to have investor-dispute settlements between countries that already have legal structures in place to deal with such issues.

A spokesman for Trade Minister Ed Fast said “Canada’s work with our European Union partners to complete the legal text of our agreement in principle continues.” Shannon Gutoskie said “excellent progress is being made” on ratifying CETA, signed in October after nearly five years of negotiations.

“Investment protections have long been a core element of trade policy in Canada and Europe, and will encourage job-creating investment and economic growth on both side of the Atlantic,” Ms. Gutoskie said.

The EU pact is expected to add $12-billion annually to Canada’s economy. “The benefits of this agreement are clear for Canada and the European Union — more jobs and economic opportunities,” she said.

In March of this year, Ottawa reached a free-trade trade agreement with South Korea, providing Canadian exporters access to the Asia market. The federal government is negotiating separate agreements with Japan and India, and is also in talks to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade bloc.

ISDS provisions have become an integral part on international agreements — including the North American Free Trade Agreement — to protect investors and corporations in their foreign dealings.