v3.19.2

segment information - Income before income taxes (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
Income before income taxes
Operating revenues external	$ 3,597	$ 3,453	$ 7,103	$ 6,830
Goods and services purchased	1,466	1,491	2,887	2,899
Employee benefits expense	758	711	1,464	1,411
EBITDA	1,373	1,251	2,752	2,520	$ 5,336	$ 5,104
Depreciation	470	411	940	822
Amortization	163	148	310	287
Operating income	740	692	1,502	1,411
Financing costs	189	150	357	306
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	$ 551	$ 542	$ 1,145	$ 1,105

X

- Definition

The amount of amortisation of intangible assets other than goodwill. [Refer: Depreciation and amortisation expense; Intangible assets other than goodwill]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 38
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 118
-Subparagraph e
-Clause vi
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=38&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_118_e_vi&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of depreciation of property, plant and equipment. [Refer: Depreciation and amortisation expense; Property, plant and equipment]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 73
-Subparagraph e
-Clause vii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=16&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_73_e_vii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 16
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 75
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=16&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_75_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The expense of all forms of consideration given by an entity in exchange for a service rendered by employees or for the termination of employment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 102
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 99
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_99&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 104
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_104&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_EmployeeBenefitsExpense
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of costs associated with financing activities of the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 82
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_82_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_FinanceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The profit (loss) before tax expense or income. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_28_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_23&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 103
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_103&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 102
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 5
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 33
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=5&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_33_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ProfitLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The profit (loss) from operating activities of the entity. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 32
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph IE33
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=32&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_IE33&doctype=Illustrative%20Examples
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 85
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_85&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The income arising in the course of an entity's ordinary activities. Income is increases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of inflows or enhancements of assets or decreases of liabilities that result in an increase in equity, other than those relating to contributions from equity participants.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_28_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_23_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_32&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 33
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_33_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_34&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 82
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_82_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 103
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_103&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 102
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 5
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 33
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=5&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_33_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph B12
-Subparagraph b
-Clause v
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_B12_b_v&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph B10
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_B10_b&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_Revenue
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

EBITDA is defined as the entity's operating revenues less goods and services purchased and employee benefits expense.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_EarningsBeforeInterestTaxesDepreciationAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of expense incurred for goods and services purchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_GoodsAndServicesPurchased
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

n/a

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_IfrsSegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration