Plant and equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016
Cost	$ 3,817	$ 3,486
Accumulated amortization	(3,339)	(3,271)
Net	478	215
Furniture and equipment [Member] | British Columbia, Canada [Member]
Cost	63	46
Accumulated amortization	(4)	(33)
Net	59	13
Leasehold improvements [Member] | British Columbia, Canada [Member]
Cost	85	32
Accumulated amortization	(34)	(28)
Net	51	4
Computer hardware and software [Member] | British Columbia, Canada [Member]
Cost	108	108
Accumulated amortization	(105)	(96)
Net	3	12
Computer hardware and software [Member] | Alaska, USA [Member]
Cost	35	31
Accumulated amortization	(32)	(31)
Net	3	0
Machinery, and equipment[Member] | Alaska, USA [Member]
Cost	3,178	2,921
Accumulated amortization	(2,855)	(2,798)
Net	323	123
Vehicles [Member] | Alaska, USA [Member]
Cost	348	348
Accumulated amortization	(309)	(285)
Net	$ 39	$ 63