Other long term obligations (Details) (CAD) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Liabilities related to equipment leases	0	209
Deferred lease inducements (note 17(b))	359	466
Asset retirement obligation (note 17(c))	512	466
Other obligations, current and noncurrent	9,140	5,544
Less current portion of:
Other obligations, noncurrent portion	7,207	4,788
Lease Incentive, Payable [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	466	574
Amortization of deferred lease inducements	(107)	(108)
Balance, end of year	359	466
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	466	424
Accretion expense	46	42
Balance, end of year	512	466
Estimated undiscounted cash flows required to settle obligation	1,084	1,084
Credit adjusted risk-free rate assumed in measuring the asset retirement obligation (percent)	9.42%
Stock options \| Senior executive stock option plan
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred compensation plans	940	591
Restricted share units (RSUs) \| Restricted share unit plan
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred compensation plans	3,667	1,742
Less current portion of:
Deferred compensation plans, current	(1,933)	(503)
Deferred stock units (DSUs) \| Directors' deferred share unit plan
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred compensation plans	3,662	2,070
Less current portion of:
Deferred compensation plans, current	0	(253)

Asset Retirement Obligation, Estimated Undiscounted Future Cash Flow to Settle

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Asset Retirement Obligation, Risk-free Rate Used to Measure

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Lease Incentive Payable, Noncurrent

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and due after one year (or beyond the operating cycle if longer) for contractual rent under lease arrangements.

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-Publisher FASB

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-SubTopic 10

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Amount of amortization of lease incentive costs incurred by the lessor for the benefit of the lessee.

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The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

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Amount of accretion expense recognized during the period that is associated with an asset retirement obligation. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability.

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Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for stock option plans and other equity-based compensation arrangements payable within one year (or the operating cycle, if longer).

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Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for stock option plans and other equity-based compensation arrangements.

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This item represents an incentive or inducement contractually stipulated between parties to a lease whereby the lessor has committed to provide the entity (lessee) with a cash payment as inducement to enter the lease.

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The aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of liabilities not separately disclosed in the balance sheet.

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Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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