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Capital Management - Schedule of Total Capital (Details) - CAD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
--- | --- | --- | ---
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
LICAT Ratio | 100.00% |  |
Equity | $ 25,862 | $ 24,508 |
Capital | $ 30,843 | 28,246 |
Sun Life Assurance |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
LICAT Ratio | 127.00% |  |
Subordinated Debt |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
Borrowings | $ 4,781 | 3,538 |
Sun Life ExchangEable Capital Securities |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
Borrowings | 200 | 200 |
Participating policyholders |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
Equity | 1,368 | 1,091 | $ 864
Non-controlling interests’ equity |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
Equity | 25 | 19 | 0
Preferred shares | Shares |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
Equity | 2,257 | 2,257 | 2,257
Common shares |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
Equity | 22,212 | 21,141 |
Common shares | Shares |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
Equity | $ 8,262 | $ 8,289 | $ 8,419
Bottom of range |  |  |
Entity Location [Line Items] |  |  |
LICAT Ratio | 90.00% |  |

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