In her 395-page ruling Ms Smith argued that suicide itself was not illegal, and therefore the ban denied the physically disabled the same rights as people who could take their own lives, breaking Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

BBC: Canada judge strikes down assisted suicide ban

Mr Smith went on to comment on his Facebook page that, "The Bible is quite specific that marriage is for men and women".

BBC: Man demoted over gay marriage Facebook post sues employer

Mr Smith, 54, who stated that he was a THT manager on his Facebook page, wrote that "marriage is for men and women".

BBC: Man demoted over gay marriage Facebook post sues employer