XML 182 R118.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.4
Financial instruments - Narrative (Details) - CAD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Nov. 16, 2020
Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Gain (loss) $ 36,577,000 $ 32,269,000    
Cash and cash equivalents 918,382,000 1,062,431,000   $ 711,528,000
Short-term investments 24,985,000 $ 0    
Pledged cash as security $ 190,140,000      
Bottom of range [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Quoted market yields 0.30% 1.70%    
Top of range [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Quoted market yields 1.10% 1.80%    
Interest rate swap contracts [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Gain (loss) $ 5,977,000 $ 2,068,000    
Credit risk [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 918,382,000 1,062,431,000    
Short-term investments $ 24,985,000 $ 0    
Interest rate risk [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Proportion of outstanding debt that carries fixed rate 100.00% 85.00%    
Interest rate risk [member] | Interest rate swap contracts [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Fair value of Cameco's interest rate swap assets $ 0 $ 2,313,000 $ 7,330,000  
Interest rate risk [member] | Interest rate swap contracts [member] | Series E senior unsecured debenture [Member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Notional amount   $ 150,000,000    
Interest rate risk [member] | Interest rate swap contracts [member] | Series E senior unsecured debenture [Member] | Floating interest rate [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Interest rate basis   the three-month Canada Dealer Offered Rate    
Margin rate   1.20%    
Interest rate risk [member] | Interest rate swap contracts [member] | Series E senior unsecured debenture [Member] | Fixed interest rate [member]        
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]        
Interest rate   3.75%