Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share	$ 41,556	$ 31,303
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding	123,380,799	115,188,134
Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants	202,115	339,747
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units	322,015	348,580
Diluted shares outstanding	123,904,929	115,876,461

Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of call options and warrants using the treasury stock method.

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+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6528421

+ Details