v3.19.2
capital structure financial policies (Details) - CAD ($)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2018
Jun. 30, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Jun. 30, 2018
Mar. 31, 2019
Mar. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Components of debt and coverage ratios                    
Net debt $ 16,602 $ 13,667 $ 16,602 $ 13,667 $ 16,602   $ 13,667      
EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs     $ 2,817 2,589 5,649 $ 5,421 5,133      
Net interest cost         $ 706   $ 589      
Debt ratio                    
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio     2.94   2.94   2.66      
Net debt to operating cash flow ratio maximum         4.00          
Coverage ratios                    
Earnings coverage ratio         4.2   4.7      
EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio         8.0   8.8      
Calculation of net debt                    
Long-term debt 16,579 14,145 $ 16,579 14,145 $ 16,579 14,101 $ 14,145      
Debt issuance costs netted against long-term debt 105 93 105 93 105   93      
Derivative (assets) liabilities, net 92 63 92 63 92   63      
Accumulated other comprehensive income amounts arising from financial instruments used to manage interest rate and currency risks associated with U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt - excluding tax effects (57) (64) (57) (64) (57)   (64)      
Cash and temporary investments, net (217) (683) (217) (683) (217) (414) (683) $ (588) $ (415) $ (509)
Short-term borrowings 100 113 100 113 100 100 113      
Net debt 16,602 13,667 16,602 13,667 16,602   13,667      
Calculation of EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs                    
EBITDA 1,373 1,251 2,752 2,520 5,336 5,104        
Restructuring and other costs 29 35 65 69 313 317        
EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs     $ 2,817 2,589 $ 5,649 $ 5,421 $ 5,133      
Changes in debt and coverage ratios                    
Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs ratio     2.94   2.94   2.66      
Earnings Coverage Ratio         4.2   4.7      
Increase (decrease) in earnings coverage ratio due to an (increase) decrease in borrowing costs     (0.8)              
Increase (decrease) in earnings coverage ratio due to an increase (decrease) in income before borrowing costs and income taxes     0.3              
EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio         8.0   8.8      
Increase (decrease) in EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio due to an increase (decrease) in EBITDA         0.7          
Increase (decrease) in EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs interest coverage ratio due to an (increase) decrease in net interest costs     (1.5)              
Dividend payout ratio                    
Dividend payout ratio, (as a per cent)         75.00%   77.00%      
Dividend payout ratio of adjusted net earnings, (as a per cent)         84.00%   77.00%      
Calculation of adjusted net earnings attributable to Common Shares                    
Net income attributable to Common Shares 517 $ 390 $ 945 $ 800 $ 1,745   $ 1,556      
Gain and net equity income related to real estate redevelopment project, after income taxes         (150)   1      
Business combination-related provisions, after income taxes         (17)   (22)      
Income tax-related adjustments         (129)   21      
Long-term debt prepayment premium, after income taxes         25          
Initial and committed donation to TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, after income taxes         90          
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Common Shares         $ 1,564   $ 1,556      
Minimum                    
Debt ratio                    
Target Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs         2.00          
Dividend payout ratio                    
Dividend payout ratio, (as a per cent)     65.00%              
Target dividend payout ratio, (as a per cent)             65.00%      
Target ratio from free cash flow     60.00%              
Maximum                    
Debt ratio                    
Target Net debt to EBITDA - excluding restructuring and other costs         2.50          
Dividend payout ratio                    
Dividend payout ratio, (as a per cent)     75.00%              
Target dividend payout ratio, (as a per cent)             75.00%      
Target ratio from free cash flow     75.00%              
IFRS 16 effects                    
Changes in debt and coverage ratios                    
Increase in net debt to EBITDA ratio due to the implementation of IFRS 16     0.18              
Calculation of adjusted net earnings attributable to Common Shares                    
Net income attributable to Common Shares $ 4   $ 19