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Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies - Consolidating Summary Financial Information (Details) - CAD ($) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Principal amount | $ 700,000,000 |
Outstanding preferred shares subject to the guarantee (in shares) | 0 |
Revenue | $ 26,997,000,000 | $ 29,334,000,000
Shareholders' net income (loss) | 2,616,000,000 | 2,242,000,000
Invested assets | 151,726,000,000 | 146,139,000,000
Total other general fund assets | 17,039,000,000 | 16,581,000,000
Investments for account of segregated fund holders | 103,062,000,000 | 106,392,000,000
Insurance contract liabilities | 121,923,000,000 | 117,785,000,000
Investment contract liabilities | 3,164,000,000 | 3,082,000,000
Total other general fund liabilities | 19,108,000,000 | 18,882,000,000
Sun Life Assurance Subordinated Debt Issued May 15, 1998 |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Principal amount | $ 150,000,000 |
Interest rate | 6.30% |
Reportable legal entities | Parent Company |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Revenue | $ 361,000,000 | 441,000,000
Shareholders' net income (loss) | 2,616,000,000 | 2,242,000,000
Invested assets | 24,255,000,000 | 23,382,000,000
Total other general fund assets | 4,088,000,000 | 7,530,000,000
Investments for account of segregated fund holders | 0 | 0
Insurance contract liabilities | 0 | 0
Investment contract liabilities | 0 | 0
Total other general fund liabilities | 4,636,000,000 | 8,591,000,000
Consolidation adjustment |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Revenue | (436,000,000) | (1,550,000,000)
Shareholders' net income (loss) | (2,418,000,000) | (2,004,000,000)
Invested assets | (22,560,000,000) | (21,919,000,000)
Total other general fund assets | (19,396,000,000) | (29,538,000,000)
Investments for account of segregated fund holders | 0 | 0
Insurance contract liabilities | (8,677,000,000) | (8,452,000,000)
Investment contract liabilities | 0 | 0
Total other general fund liabilities | (13,301,000,000) | (24,089,000,000)
Sun Life Assurance (consolidated) | Reportable legal entities | Subsidiary Issuer |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Revenue | 22,619,000,000 | 23,421,000,000
Shareholders' net income (loss) | 2,036,000,000 | 1,577,000,000
Invested assets | 143,040,000,000 | 138,145,000,000
Total other general fund assets | 21,958,000,000 | 21,437,000,000
Investments for account of segregated fund holders | 103,014,000,000 | 106,341,000,000
Insurance contract liabilities | 122,066,000,000 | 118,003,000,000
Investment contract liabilities | 3,164,000,000 | 3,082,000,000
Total other general fund liabilities | 21,801,000,000 | 21,558,000,000
Other subsidiaries of SLF Inc. (combined) | Reportable legal entities | Subsidiary Issuer |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |
Revenue | 4,453,000,000 | 7,022,000,000
Shareholders' net income (loss) | 382,000,000 | 427,000,000
Invested assets | 6,991,000,000 | 6,531,000,000
Total other general fund assets | 10,389,000,000 | 17,152,000,000
Investments for account of segregated fund holders | 48,000,000 | 51,000,000
Insurance contract liabilities | 8,534,000,000 | 8,234,000,000
Investment contract liabilities | 0 | 0
Total other general fund liabilities | $ 5,972,000,000 | $ 12,822,000,000

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