INCOME TAXES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income tax Expense Benefit
Loss before recovery of income taxes	$ (394,228)	$ (18,000)	$ (236,263)
Expected Canadian statutory rate	26.90%	28.30%	30.60%
Expected provision for (recovery of) income taxes	(106,047)	(5,085)	(72,296)
Non-deductible amounts:
Amortization	6,173	22,251	18,304
Share-based compensation	6,258	14,045	8,024
Merger and acquisition costs	24,210		7,124
In-process research and development	3,228		5,661
Non-taxable gain on disposal of investments	(3,056)	(15,384)	(1,679)
Changes in enacted income tax rates	(4,459)	(18,313)	880
Canadian dollar foreign exchange gain for Canadian tax purposes	9,098	40,667	3,358
Change in valuation allowance related to U.S. Operating losses			45,483
Change in valuation allowance on Canadian deferred tax assets and tax rate changes	(34,245)	(57,249)	(46,898)
Change in uncertain tax positions	15,433	(8,568)
Foreign tax rate differences	(218,547)	(180,301)	(36,649)
Loss of U.S. state net operating losses			9,783
Unrecognized income tax benefit of losses	32,019	22,187	22,768
Withholding taxes on foreign income	7,954	5,473	3,177
Alternative minimum and other taxes	(4,528)	2,513
Taxable foreign income	10,675
Deferred intercompany profit	(18,588)
Other	(3,781)	205	4,890
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	$ (278,203)	$ (177,559)	$ (28,070)