Segmented Information Segment (loss) income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount	$ 0	$ 5,643		$ 0	$ 5,643
Total segment operating (loss) income	(1,069)	1,153		833	159
Net investment income	2,940	1,069	$ 2,069	1,277	2,069
Net realized gains (losses)	1,976	46	$ (58)	3,108	(58)
Amortization of intangible assets	286	779		866	1,381
Contingent consideration benefit	0	0		212	657
Impairment of intangible assets	0	0		(250)	0
Interest expense not allocated to segments	1,261	1,129		3,636	3,330
Other income and expenses not allocated to segments, net	(1,663)	(1,824)		(6,399)	(5,665)
Foreign exchange losses, net	(4)	(4)		(8)	(14)
(Loss) gain on change in fair value of debt	(1,178)	(2,472)		(5,769)	1,124
Equity in net (loss) income of investees	(897)	(61)		1,343	(1,004)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income tax expense	(1,442)	1,642		(10,155)	(1,800)
Income tax expense	120	55		1,550	107
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(1,562)	1,587		(11,705)	(1,907)
Reportable Subsegments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating (loss) income	847	558		2,118	(378)
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating (loss) income	(2,441)	(140)		(3,600)	(198)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment operating (loss) income	$ 525	$ 735		$ 2,315	$ 735