INCOME TAXES (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Income tax Expense Benefit
(Loss) income before recovery of income taxes	$ (18,000)	$ (236,263)	$ 174,955
Expected Canadian statutory rate	28.30%	30.60%	32.40%
Expected provision for (recovery of) income taxes	(5,085)	(72,296)	56,685
Non-deductible amounts:
Amortization	22,251	18,304	11,962
Share-based compensation	14,045	8,024
Merger costs		7,124
Acquired IPR&D		5,661	21,063
Non-taxable gain on disposal of investments	(15,384)	(1,679)	(3,838)
Legal settlement costs			2,944
Write-down of investments			1,690
Changes in enacted income tax rates	(18,313)	880	9,800
Canadian dollar foreign exchange (loss) gain for Canadian tax purposes	40,667	3,358	2,500
Change in valuation allowance related to U.S. Operating losses		45,483	(26,000)
Change in valuation allowance on Canadian deferred tax assets and tax rate changes	(57,249)	(46,898)	(11,000)
Change in uncertain tax positions	(8,568)
Foreign tax rate differences	(180,301)	(36,649)	(99,045)
Loss of U.S. state net operating losses		9,783
Unrecognized income tax benefit of losses	22,187	22,768	25,496
Withholding taxes on foreign income	5,473	3,177	3,450
Alternative minimum and other taxes	2,513		1,877
Other	205	4,890	916
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	$ (177,559)	$ (28,070)	$ (1,500)