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Well-known writer for young readers Robert Munsch has gained clearance for assisted death in Canada.

Munsch, who has over 80 titles include Love You Forever, was identified with dementia in 2021 and also has a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

The author explained that he is still considering a final day, but mentioned he would proceed "when I start having significant difficulty speaking and expressing myself."

Canada initially permitted medical assistance in dying in 2016 for individuals facing life-ending conditions. Recently, the rules were amended to include those with significant ongoing physical conditions, even in non-life threatening circumstances.

Munsch has published over 80 million copies of his books in North America alone and his stories have been translated into over 20 tongues—including Arabic, Spanish and Anishinaabemowin.

Back in 1999, Munsch was honored as part of the prestigious national order. A decade later, he was awarded a star on Canada's Walk of Fame located in Toronto.

Munsch revealed that his path was influenced by seeing his brother succumb to Lou Gehrig's disease, referred to as motor neurone disease.

He stated, "They kept him alive with extensive measures. I felt, let him die."

Under Canadian law, individuals aged 18 and above must meet several criteria to be approved for medical assistance in dying.

These include having a "grave and untreatable condition", making a "self-motivated application" that is independent of external pressure, and being in an "late stage of unavoidable degradation in capability".

Two independent medical professionals must then evaluate the individual to confirm that all eligibility requirements are satisfied.

Munsch's literary representative remarked that his choice to share openly about medically assisted dying "highlights why Robert's legacy continues to impact countless readers."

Munsch's offspring, Julie, wrote that her father's decision to opt for medically assisted dying was chosen in 2019.

Julie called the interview as "great", but added that "nowhere is it indicated my dad isn't doing well, nor that he's passing away in the near future."

Under the country’s legislation, the person must be in a position to actively consent on the date of the procedure.

Munsch stated, "I must decide on the moment before I lose the ability for it."

Medically assisted dying made up nearly 5% of passings in Canada in 2023, based on the most recent national data.

Some 96 percent of the over 15,000 individuals who received the procedure in 2023 had a death considered "reasonably foreseeable", because of grave health issues like cancer.