v3.19.2

advance billings and customer deposits (Details) - CAD ($) $ in Millions | Jun. 30, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018
--- | --- | --- | ---
advance billings and customer deposits |  |  |
Advance billings | $ 550 | $ 538 |
Deferred customer activation and connection fees | 9 | 10 |
Customer deposits | 13 | 13 |
Contract liabilities | 572 | 561 | $ 544
Other | 93 | 95 |
Total | $ 665 | $ 656 |

X
- Definition The amount of current contract liabilities. [Refer: Contract liabilities] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 15 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 105 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=15&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_105&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CurrentContractLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of deposit liabilities from customers held by the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 55 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DepositsFromCustomers
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of current liabilities that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Current liabilities] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 55 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_OtherCurrentLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the amount of liability representing advance billings for income that is received but not yet earned. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | tu_AdvanceBilling
Namespace Prefix: | tu_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of advance billings, deferred customer activation and connection fees, customer deposits, and regulatory deferral accounts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | tu_AdvanceBillingsAndCustomerDeposits
Namespace Prefix: | tu_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition n/a + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | tu_AdvanceBillingsAndCustomerDepositsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | tu_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the deferred customer activation and connection fees component of advance billings and customer deposits recognized in current liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | tu_DeferredCustomerActivationAndConnectionFeesCurrentLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | tu_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant