Robert Munsch’s decision to die
Sep 23, 2025•27 min
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Summary
This episode delves into the life and recent decision of acclaimed children's author Robert Munsch, who, facing Parkinson's and dementia, has opted for medically assisted death (MAID). It explores how his diagnosis has affected his creativity and ability to write new stories. The discussion then expands to Canada's MAID framework, examining its broad eligibility, the unique consent challenges for dementia patients, and the persistent moral and ethical debates, including criticisms from disability rights advocates and medical providers.Episode description
Beloved children’s author Robert Munsch has chosen medically assisted death. Canada is one of the few places in the world where MAID is legal for patients like Munsch, who are not terminally ill. Today, a conversation with journalist Katie Engelhart, on the legacy of one of the great Canadian writers, how dementia has impacted his life and ability to come up with stories. Plus we take a broader look at how MAID works in Canada today, who can access it, and the persistent moral and ethical questions it raises.
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