Bob Rust and Alex Schadenberg, EPC International Chair
Participants:
Bob Rust
Alex Schadenberg
Organization:
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Series:
Part 1 of 4
Published:
March 20, 2026
Transcript Runtime:
Approximately 35 minutes 35 seconds
Series
- Part 1 of 4
Major topics:
- Alex Schadenberg’s background
- Euthanasia vs assisted suicide
- Canada’s 2016 legalization
- Expansion beyond terminal illness
- Disability-rights concerns
- The Latimer case
- Veterans Affairs euthanasia controversies
- Poverty and disability cases
- Comparison of Canada and U.S. laws
- Warnings for American audiences
Summary
In the first installment of this four-part interview series, Alex Schadenberg, International Chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, discusses the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada and compares Canadian policies with assisted-suicide laws currently operating in several U.S. states. Drawing on more than two decades of advocacy experience, Schadenberg explains how Canada’s euthanasia laws expanded beyond their original stated purpose and describes concerns involving disability rights, medical ethics, end-of-life decision-making, and the growing role of euthanasia within the Canadian healthcare system.
The discussion also explores the historical development of the euthanasia debate in Canada, the influence of disability-rights advocacy on Schadenberg’s work, and why he believes Americans should pay close attention to developments occurring north of the border. Throughout the interview, Schadenberg argues that legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide creates pressures that extend far beyond the narrow circumstances originally presented to the public.
Bob Rust and Alex Schadenberg, EPC International Chair
Excerpts from the interview
Quote 1
“I actually started working full time in this in 1999. So I’ve been doing this work a very, very long time.”
Video Time: ~01:30
Transcript PDF Page: 1
Quote 2
“In 2016, Canada actually legalized both euthanasia and assisted suicide.”
Video Time: ~01:45
Transcript PDF Page: 1
Quote 3
“When Canada legalized euthanasia in 2016, the concept was that it would only be for terminally ill people who are nearing death.”
Video Time: ~03:10
Transcript PDF Page: 1
Quote 4
“Today, we’re well over 5% of all deaths are euthanasia. In the province of Quebec, it’s at 7.9%.”
Video Time: ~03:45
Transcript PDF Page: 1
Quote 5
“I got involved with the disability community.”
Video Time: ~05:15
Transcript PDF Page: 2
Quote 6
“Why should Americans be concerned? Well, you now have 13 states with assisted suicide.”
Video Time: ~13:10
Transcript PDF Page: 5
Quote 7
“The doctor’s saying your life is not worth living, I’m gonna prescribe you lethal poison.”
Video Time: ~13:45
Transcript PDF Page: 5
Quote 8
“We have a lot of people who are very concerned about what’s happening in Canada. The difficulty is actually getting the message out because the mainstream media don’t want to hear it.”
Video Time: ~09:00
Transcript PDF Page: 4
Quote 9 (Best Closing Quote)
“Euthanasia and assisted suicide is about killing people. That’s what it’s about. And the reason I’m so concerned is that I’m opposed to killing people and we should never go there.”
Video Time: ~34:45
Transcript PDF Page: 12
Contact the Author
Alex Schadenberg, EPC International Chair
Website: www.epcc.ca
https://alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/
Email: info@epcc.ca
Transcript
Transcript Information
Participants:
Bob Rust
Alex Schadenberg
Organization:
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Series:
Part 1 of 4
Published:
March 20, 2026
Transcript Runtime:
Approximately 35 minutes 35 seconds
Transcript Note:
This transcript was generated from a recorded interview and may contain minor transcription or formatting errors. Readers are encouraged to view the original interview when available.
