| Schedule of goodwill and intangible assets [Table Text Block] |
| The following table shows an analysis of goodwill and intangible assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Intangible | | Intangible | | | | | | | | | | | assets with an | | assets with a | | | | | | | | Goodwill | | indefinite life | | finite life | | Total | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Net balance at December 31, 2009 | $ | 42,237 | | $ | 26,036 | | $ | 23,232 | | $ | 91,505 | | | | Amortization | | - | | | - | | | (2,670) | | | (2,670) | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustment | | 7,060 | | | - | | | 7,336 | | | 14,396 | | | | Net balance at December 31, 2010 | | 49,297 | | | 26,036 | | | 27,898 | | | 103,231 | | | | Amortization | | - | | | - | | | (3,717) | | | (3,717) | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustment | | 53 | | | - | | | 23 | | | 76 | | | | Net balance at December 31, 2011 | $ | 49,350 | | $ | 26,036 | | $ | 24,204 | | $ | 99,590 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross balance at December 31, 2011 | $ | 42,237 | | $ | 26,036 | | $ | 35,596 | | $ | 103,869 | | | | Accumulated amortization | | - | | | - | | | (18,751) | | | (18,751) | | | | Foreign currency translation adjustment | | 7,113 | | | - | | | 7,359 | | | 14,472 | | | | Accumulated impairment charges | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | | Net balance at December 31, 2011 | $ | 49,350 | | $ | 26,036 | | $ | 24,204 | | $ | 99,590 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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