v2.4.0.6
Income taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Income taxes  
Income taxes

13. Income taxes

 
  2012   2011   2010  

Current income tax expense (benefit)

  $ 7,773   $ 1,584   $ 960  

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

    (35,856 )   (12,688 )   15,058  
               

Total income tax expense (benefit)

  $ (28,083 ) $ (11,104 ) $ 16,018  

        The following is a reconciliation of income taxes calculated at the Canadian enacted statutory rate of 25.0%, 26.5%, and 28.5% at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, to the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations:

 
  2012   2011   2010  

Computed income tax expense at Canadian statutory rate

  $ (36,216 ) $ (21,975 ) $ (3,410 )

Increases/(decreases) resulting from:

                   

Operating countries with different income tax rates

    (8,532 )   (10,553 )   (1,220 )
               

 

    (44,748 )   (32,528 )   (4,630 )

Change in valuation allowance

    20,186     21,669     19,845  
               

 

  $ (24,562 ) $ (10,859 ) $ 15,215  

Dividend withholding and preferred share taxes

   
5,912
   
371
   
765
 

Foreign exchange

    1,505     (113 )    

Permanent differences

    (6,459 )   (1,479 )    

Non-deductible acquisition costs

    637     4,287      

Non-deductible interest expense

        2,134      

Changes in tax rates

    1,805          

Federal stimulus grant

        (6,573 )    

Change in estimates of tax basis of equity method investments

    (5,142 )   2,246      

Other

    (1,779 )   (1,118 )   38  
               

 

    (3,521 )   (245 )   803  
               

 

  $ (28,083 ) $ (11,104 ) $ 16,018  
               

        The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented below:

 
  2012   2011  

Deferred tax assets:

             

Loss carryforwards

  $ 130,149   $ 122,472  

Other accrued liabilities

    10,906     28,059  

Finance and share issuance costs

    8,349     6,532  

Disallowed interest carryforward

    2,214     9,189  

Derivative contracts

    3,481      

Unrealized foreign exchange loss

        441  

Other

    6,094      
           

Total deferred tax assets

    161,193     166,693  

Valuations allowance

    (116,002 )   (89,020 )
           

 

    45,191     77,673  

Deferred tax liabilities:

             

Intangible assets

    (113,277 )   (121,055 )

Property, plant and equipment

    (94,660 )   (133,689 )

Derivative contracts

        (4,752 )

Other long-term investments

    (1,272 )   (921 )

Other

        (181 )
           

Total deferred tax liabilities

    (209,209 )   (260,598 )
           

Net deferred tax liability

  $ (164,018 ) $ (182,925 )

        The following table summarizes the net deferred tax position as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 
  2012   2011  

Long-term deferred tax liabilities

    (164,018 )   (182,925 )
           

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

  $ (164,018 ) $ (182,925 )

        As of December 31, 2012, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $116.0 million. This amount is comprised primarily of provisions against available Canadian and U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. In assessing the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon projected future taxable income in the United States and in Canada and available tax planning strategies.

        As of December 31, 2012, we had the following net operating loss carryforwards that are scheduled to expire in the following years:

2027

    63,565  

2028

    104,436  

2029

    85,277  

2030

    25,805  

2031

    59,265  

2032

    46,053  
       

 

  $ 384,401