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Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - CAD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Income Taxes [Abstract] |  |
Total net income (loss) | $ 2,947 | $ 2,914
Income tax expense (benefit) | 286 | 597
Total net income (loss) before income taxes | 3,233 | 3,511
Reconciliation of accounting profit multiplied by applicable tax rates [abstract] |  |
Taxes at the combined Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rate | 857 | 939
Tax-exempt investment income | (260) | (131)
Higher (lower) effective rates on income subject to taxation in foreign jurisdictions | (194) | (222)
Adjustments in respect of prior years, including resolution of tax disputes | 104 | 10
Tax (benefit) cost of unrecognized tax losses and tax credits | 8 | 4
Tax rate and other legislative changes | 2 | 0
Other | (23) | 17
Total income tax expense (benefit) | $ 286 | $ 597
Reconciliation of average effective tax rate and applicable tax rate [abstract] |  |
Taxes at the combined Canadian federal and provincial statutory income tax rate | 26.50% | 26.75%
Tax-exempt investment income | (8.00%) | (3.80%)
Higher (lower) effective rates on income subject to taxation in foreign jurisdictions | (6.00%) | (6.30%)
Adjustments in respect of prior years, including resolution of tax disputes | (3.20%) | (0.30%)
Tax (benefit) cost of unrecognized tax losses and tax credits | 0.20% | 0.10%
Tax rate and other legislative changes | 0.10% | 0.00%
Other | (0.80%) | 0.50%
Effective Income tax rate | 8.80% | 17.00%

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