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Insurance Risk Management - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 CAD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 CAD ($)
Single Life Insurance Contracts In Canada |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reinsurance retention limit | $ 25 |  |
Single Life Insurance Contracts Outside Of Canada |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reinsurance retention limit |  | $ 25 |
Survivorship Life Insurance Contracts In Canada |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reinsurance retention limit | $ 30 |  |
Survivorship Life Insurance Contracts Outside Of Canada |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reinsurance retention limit |  | $ 30 |
Mortality Risk | Life Insurance Contracts Where Higher Mortality Is Financially Adverse |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reasonably possible increase (decrease) in risk variable, percent | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00%
Increase (decrease) in net income due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (35) |  | $ (55)
Increase (decrease) in equity due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (35) |  | $ (55)
Morbidity Risk | Life Insurance Contracts Where Morbidity Is Significant Assumption |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reasonably possible increase (decrease) in risk variable, percent | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.00%
Increase (decrease) in net income due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (185) |  | $ (175)
Increase (decrease) in equity due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (185) |  | $ (175)
Longevity Risk | Life Insurance Annuities Contracts |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reasonably possible increase (decrease) in risk variable, percent | (2.00%) | (2.00%) | (2.00%)
Increase (decrease) in net income due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (120) |  | $ (120)
Increase (decrease) in equity due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (120) |  | $ (120)
Policyholder Behaviour Risk | Individual Life Insurance Contracts Where Fewer Terminations Are Financially Adverse |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reasonably possible increase (decrease) in risk variable, percent | (10.00%) | (10.00%) | (10.00%)
Increase (decrease) in net income due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (250) |  | $ (240)
Increase (decrease) in equity due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (250) |  | $ (240)
Policyholder Behaviour Risk | Individual Life Insurance Contracts Where More Terminations Are Financially Adverse |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reasonably possible increase (decrease) in risk variable, percent | 10.00% | 10.00% | 10.00%
Increase (decrease) in net income due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (195) |  | $ (175)
Increase (decrease) in equity due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (195) |  | $ (175)
Expense Risk | Life insurance contracts |  |  |
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items] |  |  |
Reasonably possible increase (decrease) in risk variable, percent | 5.00% | 5.00% | 5.00%
Increase (decrease) in net income due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (175) |  | $ (160)
Increase (decrease) in equity due to change in corresponding risk variable | $ (175) |  | $ (160)

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