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

Munsch, who has 85 published books feature classics like The Paper Bag Princess, was found to have cognitive decline in 2021 and is affected by Parkinson's disease.

Munsch explained that he has yet to choose a specific time, but shared he would proceed "when I start having major challenges holding conversations."

Canada began allowing medical assistance in dying in 2016 for individuals facing life-ending conditions. In 2021, the law was changed to apply to those with serious and chronic physical conditions, even in non-terminal situations.

Munsch has published over 80 million copies of his books in North America alone and his works have been published in at least 20 languages—among them Spanish, Arabic and indigenous languages.

In 1999, Munsch was made a member of the Canadian honors system. A decade later, he was awarded a star on Canada's Walk of Fame downtown Toronto.

Munsch revealed that his decision was affected by watching his sibling pass from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

He stated, "They kept him alive via numerous procedures. I thought, let him die."

In Canada, adults who are adults must satisfy multiple conditions to be qualified for assisted dying.

Among them are having a "serious and incurable illness", making a "unpressured decision" that is not the result of coercion, and being in an "late stage of irreversible decline in function".

Two independent doctors or nurse practitioners must then assess the patient to ensure that each qualifying conditions are fulfilled.

Munsch's literary representative stated that his move to speak publicly about end-of-life options "reminds us why Robert's stories continues to impact countless readers."

Munsch's offspring, Julie, shared that her dad’s decision to opt for medically assisted dying was made five years ago.

Julie described the interview as "great", but clarified that "it doesn’t mention does it say my dad is declining rapidly, and certainly not that he's passing away anytime soon."

According to legal requirements, the person must be in a position to actively consent on the day of his death.

Munsch stated, "I have to pick the point before I lose the ability for it."

Medical aid in dying accounted for 4.7% of fatalities in Canada in 2023, per the newest public records.

Some 96 percent of the 15,300 people that underwent medical assistance in 2023 had a passing considered "likely imminent", because of critical diagnoses like cancer.