Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Minimum range of DOE index curve used in DCF model	$ 3.75
Maximum range of DOE index curve used in DCF model	$ 3.93
Weighted average DOE index curve used in DCF model	$ 3.85

Weighted average Doe index curve used in DCF Model.

No definition available.

Name:	wcn_WeightedAverageOfDoeIndexCurveUsedInDcfModel
Namespace Prefix:	wcn_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant