Celebrated children's writer Robert Munsch has been approved for medically assisted dying in Canada.
Munsch, whose 85 published books include The Paper Bag Princess and Love You Forever, was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 and also has Parkinson's disease.
The author told the New York Times Magazine that he had not decided a date for his death, but said he would go 'when I start having real trouble talking and communicating. Then I'll know.'
Canada first legalized euthanasia in 2016 for people with terminal illnesses. In 2021, the law was changed to include those with serious and chronic physical conditions, even in non-life threatening circumstances.
Munsch has sold over 80 million copies of his books in North America alone and they have been translated into at least 20 languages - including Arabic, Spanish and Anishinaabemowin, an indigenous North American language.
Influenced by watching his brother die from Lou Gehrig's disease, Munsch stated, They kept him alive through all these interventions. I thought, let him die. In the interview, he emphasizes the importance of being able to choose the timing of his death, stressing that a voluntary request should not stem from external pressures.
In Canada, those over 18 must meet several requirements to be eligible for assisted dying, including having a serious, incurable illness and making a voluntary request assessed by two independent medical professionals.
Munsch's daughter, Julie, noted that her father's decision to pursue assisted dying was made five years ago and highlighted that he is not in immediate danger.
According to Canadian law, individuals must be able to actively consent on the day of their death, emphasizing the ethical considerations surrounding assisted dying.
In 2023, medically assisted dying accounted for 4.7% of deaths in Canada, illustrating the ongoing and complex discussions surrounding end-of-life choices.
