Note 13 - Capital stock (Detail) - Total Capital Stock Issued and Outstanding (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Balance, December 31 (in Dollars)	$ 118,821	$ 110,821
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Balance, December 31	5,230,634	5,622,634
Balance, December 31 (in Dollars)	130,762	140,561
Subordinate Voting Shares [Member]
Balance, December 31	28,744,410	28,615,560
Balance, December 31 (in Dollars)	118,448	110,448
Multiple Voting Shares [Member]
Balance, December 31	1,325,694	1,325,694
Balance, December 31 (in Dollars)	373	373
Common Shares [Member]
Balance, December 31	30,070,104	29,941,254
Balance, December 31 (in Dollars)	$ 118,821	$ 110,821

Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable common stock (or common stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable common shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 30

-Article 5

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant