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Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Try to keep letters to fewer than 150 words. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com

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To the death …

Re Even In Death, We Find No Peace (July 19): For the second time in less than a year in Quebec, a referendum on a municipal bylaw has been used to deny basic needs to a religious community. Last November, it was about a place of worship for the Hasidic Jewish community in Montreal. Now it concerns a cemetery for Muslims in Saint-Apollinaire.

The ballot box is not the place to resolve disputes about faith-based claims. It was the will of the majority to protect religious freedom and minorities in such situations with a Charter of Rights, so we must have faith in the courts.

Howard Greenfield, Montreal

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After a project to create a cemetery for Muslims was defeated by three votes in a referendum, Mohamed Kesri of the Centre culturel islamique de Québec said, "It's insane. Three votes. We speak for thousands of Muslims in Quebec City."

Even a single vote can make a huge difference. Even in government. Hundreds of thousands of British Columbians see it daily in B.C. But this is Canadian democracy. We all should get used to it.

Attila Regoczi, Chilliwack, B.C.

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We don't have neighbourhoods for the living designated as Muslim or Catholic, so why do it for the dead? Let's promote tolerance and inclusiveness (how Canadian!) in life and in death.

Ronald Jhu, Toronto

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This Muslim cemetery case, in addition to spotlighting xenophobia, provides a perfect example of a weakness of planning controls.

A decision affecting thousands has been made by 36 of 49 immediate neighbours who will never themselves need what is proposed and don't want it.

An analogous situation exists in suburban housing development, which must be approved by municipal councils, whose members are elected by and responsive to existing homeowners, who have their houses and view new development as a troublesome intrusion into their community.

Andrzej Derkowski, retired professional planner, Oakville, Ont.

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Party before country

Re Tories Slam Trudeau For Khadr Payout (July 19): The Conservative Party is willing to drag Canada into the dark and thorny undergrowth of American Republican politics by using the Internet and U.S. media, including an appearance by Conservative MP Michelle Rempel on no less than Tucker Carslon's Fox News program, and an article by MP Peter Kent in The Wall Street Journal.

This uncalled-for blitz is music to the ears of the right-wing Republican base and will serve to do nothing more than to stir up ill feelings toward Canada and Canadians. The timing couldn't be worse with NAFTA in play.

The Conservatives are willing to shamelessly snuggle up to the quirky American Republican base for political gain.

Andrew Sheer and his advisers need to be reminded that Americans do not vote in Canadian elections, and that by trying to embarrass Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party, they are not doing Canadians any favours.

Canada, welcome to American-style lowest-bar politics where principles, honesty, morals and any sense of decency are sacrificed on the way to the throne of political power.

Bill Bousada, Carleton Place, Ont.

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It is disappointing that Andrew Scheer's Conservatives are so shamelessly willing to undermine all the hard work that our government has put into establishing constructive relationships with our American counterparts. This is a clear case of the Conservatives putting party before country.

Suzzanne Fisher, Calgary

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NAFTA's trajectory

Re It Could Have Been So Much Worse (editorial, July 19): It may be a bit premature to declare victory in the supposed slight redrafting of the North American free-trade agreement. As in sports and life, despite seeing the seemingly obvious winner from afar, we have to play the game to see who actually wins.

The U.S. President is a somewhat unconventional negotiator and knows that if seemingly outrageous demands are not made, there is less probability of getting even half of what he wants.

Let's wait until the game is played and the scores tallied before our PM pats himself on the back for the victory.

Clay Atcheson, North Vancouver

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Re Canada, U.S. Eager To Lock Mexico Into NAFTA Energy Plan (Report on Business, July 19): It is enormously disappointing to see that the Trudeau government is joining Donald Trump in pushing for Mexico to sign an energy proportionality clause in a renegotiated free-trade deal, similar to the one Canada signed and Mexico resisted in the first round.

Essentially, Canadian – and soon perhaps, Mexican – oil and gas reserves become North American reserves, subject only to market forces. Governments basically lose control of energy supplies and the ability to use policy tools to reduce the production of fossil fuels and begin the transition to low-carbon energy sources.

NAFTA's proportionality clause is a major reason Canada has expanded tar sands production and is promoting the massive expansion of pipelines. Such a NAFTA energy package will make it impossible for North America to meet its climate commitments.

Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians, Ottawa

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Dual duels

Re Australian Senator Steps Down Because Of Dual Canadian Citizenship (July 19): I was surprised to learn that there actually exists a mechanism for renouncing Canadian citizenship.

In the late 1970s, a Canadian friend got a job in the United States that required U.S. government security clearance which meant becoming an American citizen. Because of the circumstances at the time, my friend had to renounce his Canadian citizenship, which he did.

Years later, my friend wanted the option of returning to Canada but didn't want the hassle of going through the citizenship process. So I suggested that he simply apply for his Canadian passport and wait and see what happened. It arrived, no problem.

It left me suspicious that all renouncement forms go directly into a paper shredder …

Norman Rosencwaig, Toronto

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We've heard a lot lately about a 15-year-old under the influence of fanatical adults. Now, a respected politician is being punished for something she did as a fetus – having the bad luck to be born while her parents were studying in Canada. With such responsibilities being off-loaded to ever-younger people, I have to wonder: When will the voting age be reduced to 12?

Dave Ashby, Toronto

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Irony's demise

Re Venezuela's Opposition Calls For 24-Hour General Strike (July 18): Irony is dead. U.S. President Donald Trump describes Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as "a bad leader who dreams of becoming a dictator." How would he describe himself?

John Ferguson, Orleans, Ont.

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