v2.4.0.8
Long-term debt (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule Of Line Of Credit Facilities And Long Term Debt [Table Text Block]
    December 28, 2013December 29, 2012
    $$
Bank indebtedness:  
 North American credit facilities(1) 64,382 75,700
 European credit facilities(2) 61,892 44,611
 Opta Minerals revolving term credit facility(3) 15,579 10,750
     141,853 131,061
      
Long-term debt:  
 Opta Minerals non-revolving term credit facility(3) 42,253 50,315
 Lease obligations(4) 6,444 7,219
 Other 311 664
     49,008 58,198
 Less: current portion 6,354 6,925
     42,654 51,273
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]
    $
2014 6,354
2015 6,098
2016 6,054
2017 5,996
2018 5,894
Thereafter 18,612
     49,008
Schedule Of Interest Expense And Interest Income [Table Text Block]
    December 28, 2013December 29, 2012December 31, 2011
    $$$
Interest expense 8,046 9,602 9,086
Interest income (186) (269) (247)
Interest expense, net 7,860 9,333 8,839