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Shareholder's capital - Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - CAD CAD in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation [Line Items] |  |
Share-based compensation expense | CAD 10,804 | CAD 5,675
Share options |  |
Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation [Line Items] |  |
Share-based compensation expense | 3,990 | 3,006
Directors deferred share units |  |
Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation [Line Items] |  |
Share-based compensation expense | 771 | 683
Employee share purchase |  |
Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation [Line Items] |  |
Share-based compensation expense | 568 | 238
Performance share units |  |
Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Expense Allocation [Line Items] |  |
Share-based compensation expense | CAD 5,475 | CAD 1,748

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- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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