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Esteemed children’s author Robert Munsch has received approval for medically assisted dying in Canada.

Munsch, whose over 80 titles include The Paper Bag Princess, was found to have dementia in 2021 and also has a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Munsch stated that he is still considering a specific time, but mentioned he would move forward "if I reach a point with major challenges speaking and expressing myself."

Canada began allowing medical assistance in dying in 2016 for those diagnosed with incurable diseases. Two years ago, the legislation expanded to apply to those with significant ongoing health issues, including non-terminal circumstances.

Munsch has published in excess of 80 million works across the continent and his stories have been rendered in over 20 tongues—among them Arabic, Spanish and Anishinaabemowin.

In 1999, Munsch was honored as part of the Canadian honors system. Ten years after, he was awarded a recognition along Canada's Walk of Fame located in Toronto.

Munsch explained that his choice was influenced by seeing his sibling succumb to Lou Gehrig's disease, referred to as a degenerative condition.

He stated, "They kept him alive through all these interventions. I felt, he should be permitted to pass."

Under Canadian law, adults aged 18 and above must satisfy a number of criteria to be eligible for aid in dying.

Among them are having a "serious and incurable illness", making a "unpressured decision" that is independent of coercion, and being in an "profound phase of permanent deterioration in ability".

Two independent healthcare providers must then review the patient to ensure that every necessary criteria are fulfilled.

Munsch's publishing house stated that his decision to discuss frankly about assisted death "reinforces why Robert's stories continues to resonate with countless readers."

Munsch's daughter, Julie, shared that her father's decision to seek end-of-life care was made in 2019.

Julie called the interview as "great", but clarified that "it doesn’t mention is it indicated my dad is declining rapidly, and certainly not that he's leaving us anytime soon."

As per Canadian law, the person must be able to provide clear consent on the date of the procedure.

Munsch stated, "I have to pick the moment when I can still ask for it."

Medically assisted dying accounted for almost five percent of fatalities in Canada in 2023, per the most recent national data.

Approximately 96 percent of the 15,300 people who opted for assisted dying in 2023 had a death considered "likely imminent", as a result of severe medical conditions such as cancer.