Employee benefit expense (Details) - CAD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Classes Of Employee Benefits Expense [Abstract]
Wages and salaries	$ 331,521	$ 379,620
Statutory and company benefits	60,334	66,402
Expenses related to defined benefit plans	5,208	5,128
Expenses related to defined contribution plans	15,929	17,716
Equity-settled share-based compensation	18,433	19,305
Cash-settled share-based compensation	134	(822)
Employee benefit expense	$ 431,559	$ 487,349

No definition available.

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- Definition

The expense of all forms of consideration given by an entity in exchange for a service rendered by employees or for the termination of employment.

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- Definition

The amount of expense arising from cash-settled share-based payment transactions in which the goods or services received did not qualify for recognition as assets. [Refer: Expense from share-based payment transactions in which goods or services received did not qualify for recognition as assets]

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The amount of expense arising from equity-settled share-based payment transactions in which the goods or services received did not qualify for recognition as assets. [Refer: Expense from share-based payment transactions in which goods or services received did not qualify for recognition as assets]

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- Definition

The amount of post-employment benefit expense relating to defined benefit plans. [Refer: Defined benefit plans [member]]

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- Definition

The amount of post-employment benefit expense relating to defined contribution plans. Defined contribution plans are post-employment benefit plans under which an entity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity (a fund) and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employee benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

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- Definition

A class of employee benefits expense that represents social security contributions. [Refer: Employee benefits expense]

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- Definition

A class of employee benefits expense that represents wages and salaries. [Refer: Employee benefits expense]

+ References

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