Beloved Canadian children's author Robert Munsch says he has MAID approval after dementia diagnosis

Robert Munsch, the Canadian author whose children's books have charmed generations of young readers, has disclosed that he has been approved for medically assisted death in Canada. The decision comes after a dementia diagnosis in 2021 and a later diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, his representatives said, and underscores the evolving debate over medical assistance in dying in the country.

Munsch, 80, rose to international fame with titles such as The Paper Bag Princess and Love You Forever, and he has published 85 books that have sold more than 87 million copies in North America alone. He described a decline in his storytelling ability, telling the New York Times that his talent has started to fade: “I can feel it going further and further away.” He said that when he waits for a plot to emerge, he simply finds that “Nothing happens.” The author has long delighted audiences with classroom visits and impromptu storytelling, but his degenerative conditions have curtailed that work.

Canada legalized medically assisted dying in 2016, and the program expanded in 2021 to include people with serious and chronic physical conditions, not just those with terminal illnesses. To be approved for MAID, an individual must meet five criteria: a grievous and irremediable medical condition; informed consent; eligibility for publicly funded health services; a voluntary request without coercion; and being at least 18 years old and mentally competent, able to confirm consent on the day of death. Two independent medical professionals must verify that all criteria are met. The method of death can be either physician-administered medication or self-administration with prescribed drugs. A patient can withdraw the request at any time, and the process is designed to ensure the person’s decision remains voluntary and informed.

Since MAID’s introduction in Canada, the program has grown in scope. Government data show that 15,300 people died by medically assisted dying in 2023, accounting for about 4.7 percent of all deaths in the country. The expansion has spurred new service models, such as MAiDHouse, which provides spaces for people to die outside traditional hospital or home settings—an option described by its organizers as customizable and sometimes reflective of personal preferences, including celebrations or intimate goodbyes.

Supporters say MAID preserves autonomy at the end of life, offering relief from suffering for those with degenerative conditions who face a diminished quality of life. Critics, however, warn that the policy could pressure vulnerable people or be exploited by social and economic pressures. The scope of MAID has already broadened in Canada beyond terminal illness to include certain chronic conditions, and policy discussions continue about future changes, including the extension of MAID to mental illness and, in some proposals, to younger people under specific mature-minor considerations.

Munsch’s decision to pursue MAID follows his dementia diagnosis and a later development of Parkinson’s disease. He told the Times that his writing has become intermittent in recent years, though there was a brief moment in 2023 when a story resurfaced; he wrote it down, and the book Bounce! was published the following year. Asked by a grandchild whether he would die, he reportedly answered simply: “Yes.” His daughter Julie Munsch responded to social-media speculation by saying her father is not dying. In a statement posted to his official Facebook page, she wrote: “My father IS NOT DYING!!!” She added that he chose MAID five years ago and that, while he is doing well, a degenerative disease can progress rapidly at any point. “My dad is doing well but of course with a degenerative disease it can begin to progress quickly at any point,” she said, emphasizing that the interview did not indicate an imminent death and that the family is continuing to support him as he faces a difficult illness.

The broader debate around MAID in Canada covers both principled and practical concerns. Advocates argue that the option provides essential autonomy for those living with painful, progressive conditions, while opponents warn that social inequities, access barriers, and the possibility of coercion could undermine vulnerable populations. The government’s plan to extend MAID to mental illnesses, slated to begin in March 2027, has intensified debate about safeguards and the potential for indefinite continuation of suffering for people with chronic conditions. Some organizations, including Dying With Dignity Canada, have called for expanded discussions about whether MAID should be available to younger people under certain mature circumstances or for individuals with mental health diagnoses, a position that remains contested among policymakers, clinicians, and patient advocates.

For Munsch, the most visible impact of his dementia has been on his prolific writing life. Bounce!, the new title that emerged after that 2023 moment, offered a glimpse of his ongoing engagement with storytelling even as his cognitive abilities wane. The author’s public reflections have drawn renewed attention to the personal dimensions of end-of-life decisions, including the ethical, medical, and societal factors that accompany MAID in a country that has increasingly normalized this path.