Register for the next Compassionate Community Care - Visitor Training Program on June 17/18.

Kathy Matusiak Costa

Register for the free online Being With My Story Visitor Volunteer Training program on taking place on June 17 and 18. Learn how to  be an effective caring visitor of people in your community.

 

Register online (Registration Link).

The online training is provided by Compassionate Community Care (CCC) and is co-hosted by CCC Executive Director, Kathy Matusiak Costa and Alex Schadenberg, EPC Executive Director.

Alex Schadenberg

Gain the confidence to journey with people in your community who are lonely, socially isolated, sick, or dying, to renew their hope and purpose to live until they die.

 

The Training Workshop is composed of two sessions, each session is two hours held on: 

Wednesday June 17 (7 pm - 9 pm) (EST)

Thursday June 18 (7 pm - 9 pm) (EST)

With Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care, and Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. 

Register online now: (Registration Link)

 

Compassionate Community Care: 

383 Horton St. E, London, ON N6B 1L6
Office: 519-439-6445 

info@beingwith.org • www.beingwith.org

CCC Helpline: 1-855-675-8749

 

Charitable registration # 824667869RR0001

Show the powerful film in your community: Life Worth Living

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Purchase or rent the Life Worth Living film from the Euthansia Prevention Coalition at: https://lifeworthlivingfilm.com

Change hearts and minds by screening the powerful Life Worth Living film in your community.

Below is the trailer for the Life Worth Living film:

Reviews we received of the film:

I just watched Life Worth Living and I have to say I'm so incredibly impressed. I can't contain my enthusiasm for this film. It's one of the best film projects on the subject of medical killing ever. I'd expect awards to be forthcoming for best documentary film. Lester.

Another review:

I have purchased the film "Life Worth Living" a couple of weeks ago and have watched it. I feel that it's a film that everyone should watch because it shows what is happening in the system of "health" care in Canada and it opens our eyes to the reality of how far our government and the medical system has gone in the direction of killing people instead of healing people.

I would like to ask permission to show this film for our parish community. Eva

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition granted Eva permission to have the film shown in her community. Please arrange screenings of the film.

Life Worth Living features:

• Alicia Duncan, whose mother died by euthanasia with conditions based on mental health, 
• Kelsi Sheren, a Canadian military veteran who came back from combat with PTSD and other disabilities. Kelsi is a social media influencer and a life coach.
• Roger Foley, a Canadian man living with a significant disability who has been pressured by hospital staff to request euthanasia.
• Dr David D'Souza, an Ontario pain specialist.
• Dr Catherine Ferrier, a Quebec Gerontologist and a leader of Physicians' Alliance against Euthanasia, 
• Dr Will Johnston, a Vancouver family physician and leader of Euthanasia Resistance BC
• Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care,
• Alex Schadenberg, (myself), author, keynote speaker, International leader opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition needs your help.

1. Purchase the Life Worth Living Film (Life Worth Living film Link)
2. Arrange to have Life Worth Living shown in your community. Contact us at: info@epcc.ca
3. You may want a speaker at the event to lead a discussion. Contact us at: info@epcc.ca

Register: Compassionate Community Care Patient Advocacy Training program on May 27.

Register for the free online Patient Advocacy Training Program to effectively advocate for family, friends or people in your community who need help with medical care decisions.

Kathy Matusiak Costa

The Patient Advocacy Training Program zoom event will be: 

Wednesday May 27 from 7 to 9 pm (Eastern Time)

Register online (Zoom Registration Link).

Gain the confidence and skills to be an advocate for family, friends and others. Patient Advocates help others receive the care and services that they need.

The free online training will be done by With Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care, and Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

Register online now: (Zoom Registration Link).

The Advocacy Training Program is ideal for people who have already done the Compassionate Community Care Visitor Training program, but it is incredibly helpful for people who are already advocating for a family member or a friend

Compassionate Community Care: 

383 Horton St. E, London ON N6B 1L6
Office tel. 519-439-6445 

info@beingwith.org • www.beingwith.org

CCC Helpline: 1-855-675-8749

 

Charitable registration # 824667869RR0001

Free online Life Worth Living film screening on March 30.

Register in advance to watch the free online screening of the powerful Life Worth Living film on Monday, March 30 at 7 pm (Eastern Time). (Registration Link)

The Life Worth Living film features stories from people who have been directly affected, doctors who explain their experiences, and people who are working to prevent euthanasia in Canada. 

Register in advance for this online event: (Zoom registration link). After registering you will receive a viewing link.

EPC has had multiple online screenings and many groups have sponsored screenings of the Life Worth Living film. We encourage groups and individuals to arrange a screening of the Life Worth Living film. Contact EPC at info@epcc.ca

Life Worth Living was a finalist at the Cannes World Film Festival and is being considered by multiple film festivals. 

Life Worth Living is 60 minutes long. After the completion of the broadcast we will have time for a discussion.

Life Worth Living features:

• Alicia Duncan, whose mother died by euthanasia with conditions based on mental health, 
• Kelsi Sheren, a Canadian military veteran. CEO, best selling Author of the book - Brass & Unity, TedX speaker and host of the Kelsi Sheren perspective.

  

  Roger Foley

• Roger Foley, a Canadian man living with a significant disability who has been pressured by hospital staff to request euthanasia.
• Dr David D'Souza, Ontario pain specialist.
• Dr Catherine Ferrier, Quebec Gerontologist and a leader of the Physicians' Alliance against Euthanasia, 
• Dr Will Johnston, family physician and leader of Euthanasia Resistance BC
• Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care,
• Alex Schadenberg, (myself), author, keynote speaker, International leader opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide.

 

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition needs your help:

1. Arrange to have Life Worth Living shown in your community. Contact us at: info@epcc.ca
2. You may want a speaker at the event to lead a discussion. Contact us at: info@epcc.ca
3. You can purchase the Life Worth Living film at:  www.lifeworthlivingfilm.com or through Salem Now.

Celebrating hope, milestones and success.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

As we celebrate the Christmas Season with hope we also celebrate our milestones and successes with hope for the New Year.

We celebrate that today, the EPC blog surpassing 13 Million pageviews. The last year alone, the EPC blog had more than 3.6 Million pageviews. 

We regularly receive emails from people from around the world either thanking us for the research and information that is published on the blog or asking us for specific information.

There are more reasons to celebrate.

2025 has been a great challenge, but we are pleased with the success of the Slovenian referendum and our soon-to-be-released film: Life Worth Living.

The film project grew out of our work on the successful Slovenian referendum campaign, as well as our work with partners in Victoria, Australia to prevent the expansion of their assisted suicide law and our promotion of Bill C-218, the bill that is sponsored by Tamara Jansen MP which, if passed, would prevent euthanasia for mental illness alone in Canada.

While working on the film project, we shared excellent footage of interviews concerning Canada’s experience with euthanasia, that was used in the Slovenian referendum. The Slovenian referendum was a great success with 53.5% rejecting the Slovenian euthanasia law that had passed in their national legislature last July.

The Slovenian referendum taught us some important lessons and provided great hope for the future. Some of the lessons concern messaging: euthanasia (MAiD) is about poisoning people to death, do not be afraid to tell the truth, as well as euthanasia concerns healthcare and pension savings. Euthanasia reduces costs by killing people.

We also shared footage with our partners in Victoria, Australia who were working to prevent the expansion of their euthanasia law.

We have not fully recovered the  cost of the film, which was around $50,000. Consider making a Christmas donation to EPC and enable us to fully recover the cost of the film. 

Donation to the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (Donation Link).

Watch the Trailer for our powerful film Life Worth Living (Trailer Link).

We also created footage to specifically support the passage of Bill C-218. For instance, Alicia Duncan, whose mother died by euthanasia in 2021 based on mental health issues, shared her powerful story and Kelsi Sheren shared her story of living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, after serving Canada in the military in Afghanistan.

The film - Life Worth Living will be available in January. We need our supporters, to organize screenings of the film. You may also want a speaker, such as myself, to lead a discussion forum, after the screening.

The film also features: Roger Foley, a Canadian living with a significant disability who has been pressured by hospital staff to request euthanasia, Dr David D'Souza, a pain specialist in Ontario, Dr Catherine Ferrier, a Gerontologist and a leader of Physicians' Alliance Againt Euthanasia in Quebec, Dr Will Johnston, a family physician and leader of Euthanasia Resistance BC, Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care and myself.

Press Conference on December 5, 2025

Bill C-218 had its first hour of debate in parliament on December 5, 2025. EPC organized a press conference at the Parliamentary Press Gallery on December 5 that featured: Kelsi Sheren, a military veteran who experienced PTSD. Kelsi is also a social media influencer. Alicia Duncan, whose mother died by euthanasia in 2021 based on mental health issues, Dr Paul Saba a family physician in Lachine Quebec and Alex Schadenberg (myself). Kelsi and Alicia joined by remote link.

(Link to the EPC Press Conference)

After the press conference Dr. Saba and I stayed to witness the Bill C-218 debate in the House of Commons. 

Tamara Jansen MP and Andrew Lawton MP gave excellent speeches. Jansen stated in the House of Commons 

“If MAID is expanded, we will be forced into an impossible paradox. A suicidal person calling a crisis line is urged to hold on, yet if they request MAID, that same despair may be treated as justification for death. Bill C-218 is necessary to stop the 2027 expansion to mental illness because the evidence cannot support it and the safeguards cannot sustain it. Vulnerable Canadians are already at risk.”

Link to the speech by Tamara Jansen on Bill C-218 (Article Link).

One of our supporters stated on social media: “Well done Tamara Jansen! How could anyone disagree with her arguments.”

Andrew Lawton (MP) spoke about his own experience with mental illness and a suicide attempt 15 years earlier. Lawton stated in the House: 

"I would not be here today had I been successful. I would not be here today had I not gotten over the darkest, worst feelings of my life, which anyone could encounter. That is something I believe needs to be understood by those who believe this is an abstract question of legal theory and legal rights. These are real people. There are faces to this. If Bill C-218 does not pass, people will die."

Link to the speech by Andrew Lawton on Bill C-218 (Article Link).

The second hour of debate and vote on Bill C-218 is currently scheduled to be in late March, 2026.

Health Canada released the 2024 euthanasia data on November 28, 2025. The number of euthanasia poisonings increased to 16,499 representing 5.1% of all deaths. Quebec continues to have the highest euthanasia rate in the world, now at 7.9% of all deaths. The number of euthanasia deaths of people who were not terminally ill increased by 17% to 732. We have a lot of work to do. Canada needs a massive culture shift.

Read the article on the Health Canada 2024 euthanasia report (Article Link).

The 2024 report indicated that there were 76,475 (MAiD) euthanasia deaths in Canada from legalization until December 31, 2024. 

Based on the 2025 projected increase in euthanasia deaths, 2025 will end with at least 93,500 euthanasia deaths since legalization.

We have hope, and we share hope. Hope is essential in preventing euthanasia, as euthanasia is often requested based on a lack of hope.

A Family’s Heartbreak: MAiD Decision Leaves Loved Ones Grieving and Confused

This article was published by Compassionate Community Care on June 11, 2025.

By Kathy Matusiak Costa
Executive Director, Compassionate Community Care

A grieving family from Eastern Canada is speaking out following the unexpected decision of their elderly aunt to proceed with a scheduled Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) procedure at a hospital in British Columbia, just days after a fall that led to her admission into rehabilitation care.

According to her niece, the woman had not suffered a serious injury—“she didn’t even break a bone”—and had only recently been told by doctors that she had arthritis. But the family was stunned to learn that she had already scheduled her euthanasia and was resolute in her decision to go through with it.

“We were willing to bring her home, to take care of her, to give her a dignified natural death surrounded by family and love,” said the niece. “But she cried and hung up on us. She said she didn’t want to. And now it’s happening today.”

The family was particularly disturbed to learn from local contacts that the procedure was scheduled to take place in what was described as a “shack-like enclosure” beside the hospital. A national advocacy organization, Compassionate Community Care (CCC), attempted to intervene and speak with the woman directly to offer support and alternatives, but she declined all outreach.

Her niece and sister are left devastated—not just by the finality of the decision, but by how quickly it was arranged and how little opportunity they had to understand or influence it.

“Had we not found out she chose MAiD, we would have assumed she passed peacefully, naturally,” her niece said. “Instead, we’re left with this overwhelming feeling that our loved one is being killed.”

This case raises ongoing questions about the safeguards, timelines, and communication protocols surrounding MAiD in Canada. Critics have warned that vulnerable individuals, especially those facing isolation or recent trauma, may opt for MAiD without fully exploring palliative care or family-based alternatives. For families like this one, the aftermath is not only grief—but also a painful sense of helplessness.

Community of Hope Outreach: Connecting with Seniors Project.

Compassionate Community Care is seeking volunteers who are willing and able to participate in the Community of Hope Outreach: Connecting with Seniors Project.

The calling service is for persons aged 55+ who may be socially or physically isolated and are looking for (needing) support, or a friendly person to talk to on a regular basis.

Compassionate Community Care is looking for volunteers to make calls and seniors to receive calls.

Volunteers are needed to provide calls in both English and French.

Contact Compassionate Community Care if you are interested in volunteering or if you know of someone who should receive calls.

This project was funded by the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), which provides funding for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors in their communities.

Compassionate Community Care
383 Horton St. E., London ON N6B 1L6
Office: 519-439-6445, Email: info@beingwith.org
Website: www.beingwith.org
CCC Helpline: 1-855-675-8749
Charitable Registration # 824667869RR001

Zoom Meeting (March 21): Euthanasia in Canada. What's Next?

Join the rescheduled Zoom meeting on Thursday, March 21 at 2 pm (Eastern Time) (11 am Pacific Time) 

Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Kathy Matusiak Costa, Director of Compassionate Community Care and Ottawa human rights lawyer, Lia Milousis will discuss - Euthanasia in Canada. What's Next?

Register in advance for this meeting: (Registration Link). 

Lia Milousis

Lia has become an expert on euthanasia based on her professional and personal experiences.

Kathy Matusiak Costa will discuss the direction of Compassionate Community Care and its programs that provide training and support for community groups and families.

Alex Schadenberg

Alex Schadenberg will speak about the direction of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

Bill C-62, the bill to postpone the implementation of euthanasia for mental illness alone until March 2027 has passed. We will talk about what is next.

We will discuss the problems and opportunities for Canadians to stop euthanasia.

October 24, 2023 free Zoom event: Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Delta Hospice, and Compassionate Community Care.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC), Delta Hospice, and Compassionate Community Care (CCC) are offering a free online zoom event on October 24, 2023.

When: Tuesday, October 24, 2023

               4 pm Pacific (BC) Time 

               (7 pm Eastern Time)

Register in advance for this meeting: (Registration Link).

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information for joining the meeting.

Speakers

• Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition 
• Angelina Ireland, President - Delta Hospice Society
• Kathy Costa Matusiak, Executive Director - Compassionate Community  Care                  

Topics

Alex Schadenberg from the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition will provide a "Canadian update" based on recent stories and current trends. 

Angelina Ireland from the The Delta Hospice Society will speak about plans to institute the Guardian Angels program with Delta Hospice Society directions.

Kathy Matusiak Costa from CCC will explain the success of the Being With Visitor Training program, the Advocacy Training program and other CCC updates.

Register in advance for this meeting: (Registration Link).

It takes someone else being there, for a person in need, to choose to live.

The following was published by Compassionate Community Care on March 30, 2023.

“A world in which someone was prepared to listen to another’s distress seemed to her one in which it was worthwhile to live”1

By Alida Dance

When we look at how our world and how society functions today, it revolves around a lot of constant busyness and chaos. We may not even realize how easy it is to forget the most simple things in life.

This has become normal within our society, there are so many distractions at all times. How hard has it become to put aside distractions and give our full attentive heart to another person? We can see that there is a disconnect between people as the result of so many factors and I am sure you can think of some distractions you may struggle with, so I am not going to list them.

Let’s read this quote again. “A world in which someone was prepared to listen to another’s distress seemed to her one in which it was worthwhile to live.”

Viktor Frankl

This is referenced from the article attached below (it is worth a read!). This is the reason that a woman gave for choosing not to end her life. In summary, a woman had made a phone call in the middle of the night and the person on the other end answered, listened to her, helped talk her through depression, and gave her reasons to keep living. But none of the reasons he listed for her, were the reason why she chose to keep living. She chose to keep living because he answered the phone and just was willing to listen to her amidst her distress. This individual was Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and and former prisoner from a Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Viktor Frankl describes his experience in his famous book Man’s Search for Meaning.

What captured this woman in need who one night called Dr Frankl is a familiar experience, a human experience of need, and seeking help, a call in distress encounters another who is willing to care and take time to listen and “be with” the other. This is the same experience that we share and can relate with here at Compassionate Community Care and is the exact reason for having established our helpline, 1-855-675-8749, for this reason: to be with, listen, and care for those who call.

At CCC, we are equipped and do our best to provide help and resources for any situation or circumstance someone may be reaching out for. Often when the person on the other end of the line makes the call, it can be as simple as just answering and listening. When you are being a person to share the weight that seems impossible for another to carry, it is not as heavy.

The helpline has been created for those who don’t know who else to turn to or for those who need extra support, and we are more than happy to help with any situation! We can all learn from this example of Viktor Frankl, and become more aware of and recognize what can make us distracted, and instead, drop everything and tune into the person and what they are saying. We can learn to hear beyond our ears and listen with our hearts; to better connect with others, heart to heart.

Have you ever experienced this kind of grace? How can you better listen to those around you? I challenge you to reflect on these questions and become aware of the things that separate us, because once we know where we fall short, we can make better efforts to fill the gaps and become better connected again.

1 Quote above from The Rabbi Sacks Legacy. Listening is the greatest gift we can give to a troubled soul. (2002 December 14). Retrieved on March 16, 2023, from (Link to the article).

Register now: Compassionate Community Care (Being With) Visiting Training Sessions April 12 & 13.

 

Being With Volunteer Visiting Training

Gain the confidence to journey with those who are suffering, socially isolated, sick, or dying, to renew their hope and purpose in life.

Link to Promo for the Training event.

FREE Online Training – Live on Zoom!

Workshop is two sessions, each session is two hours:

Session 1: Tuesday April 12th 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. EST and

Session 2: Wednesday April 13th 7 p.m.-9 p.m. EST

With Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care, and Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.

Click on this link to register in advance

Compassionate Community Care: 

383 Horton St. E, London, ON N6B 1L6
Office tel. 519-439-6445 • info@beingwith.org • www.beingwith.org

CCC Helpline: 1-855-675-8749 • Charitable registration # 824667869RR0001

Register Now: Meeting capacity is limited to 100 participants.