Related party transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (CAD)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		194 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting fees paid	81,155	63,462	103,875	107,149	1,226,504
Amount payable to related party	2,485,839		2,485,839		2,485,839	1,188,041
Chief Financial Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting fees paid		25,875		53,901
Directors and Officers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount payable to related party	34,579		34,579		34,579	12,761
Former Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Consulting fees paid	21,511		21,511
Amount payable to related party	132,353		132,353		132,353