v3.19.2

accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Details) - CAD ($) $ in Millions | Jun. 30, 2019 | Jan. 01, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
--- | --- | --- | ---
accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  |  |
Accrued liabilities | $ 1,111 |  | $ 1,159
Payroll and other employee-related liabilities | 404 |  | 429
Restricted share units liability | 94 |  | 72
Total | 1,609 |  | 1,660
Trade accounts payable | 933 |  | 686
Interest payable | 167 |  | 157
Other | 88 |  | 67
Total | $ 2,797 | $ 2,564 | $ 2,570

X
- Definition The amount of interest recognised as a liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 112 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_InterestPayable
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of liabilities that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. + 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_OtherLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of accruals for employee benefits (other than termination benefits) that are expected to be settled wholly within twelve months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the related services. [Refer: Accruals classified as current] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 78 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_78&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ShorttermEmployeeBenefitsAccruals
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of current trade payables and current other payables. [Refer: Current trade payables; Other current payables] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 54 -Subparagraph k -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_54_k&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The current amount of payment due to suppliers for goods and services used in entity's business. [Refer: Current liabilities; Trade payables] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 78 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_78&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2018-01-01 -Paragraph 70 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_70&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2018-03-16 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_TradeAndOtherCurrentPayablesToTradeSuppliers
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_TradeAndOtherPayablesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the amount of accrued, employee related and restricted stock units liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | tu_AccruedAndEmployeeRelatedAndRestrictedStockUnitsLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | tu_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the amount of current accrued liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | tu_AccruedLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | tu_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Represents the liability of restricted awards. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | tu_RestrictedStockUnitsLiability
Namespace Prefix: | tu_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant