v3.19.2

share-based compensation - TELUS Corporation share options (Details) - TELUS Corporation share options	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019 CAD ($) Y EquityInstruments	Jun. 30, 2019 CAD ($) Y EquityInstruments	Dec. 31, 2018 CAD ($) EquityInstruments
share-based compensation
Share options granted		0	0
Number of share options outstanding, beginning of period | EquityInstruments	196,800	326,164
Number of share options exercised | EquityInstruments	(191,822)	(320,958)
Number of share options forfeited | EquityInstruments	(228)	(456)
Number of share options expired | EquityInstruments	(2,260)	(2,260)
Number of share options outstanding, end of period | EquityInstruments	2,490	2,490	326,164
Weighted average share price of options outstanding, beginning of period	$ 29.21	$ 29.22
Weighted average share price of options exercised	29.17	29.20
Weighted average share price of options forfeited	29.18	29.18
Weighted average share price of options expired	29.18	29.18
Weighted average share price of options outstanding, end of period	31.69	31.69	$ 29.22
Total intrinsic value of share option awards exercised	4,000,000	6,000,000
Weighted average share price at the dates of exercise	49.59	48.89
Option price	$ 31.69	$ 31.69
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years) | Y	0.1	0.1
Maximum
share-based compensation
Exercise period		7 years

X

- Definition

Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The exercise price of outstanding share options.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ExercisePriceOfOutstandingShareOptions
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The number of share options outstanding in a share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause vi
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_vi&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The number of share options exercised in a share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause iv
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_iv&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NumberOfShareOptionsExercisedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The number of share options expired in a share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause v
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_v&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NumberOfShareOptionsExpiredInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The number of share options forfeited in a share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause iii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_iii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NumberOfShareOptionsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The number of share options granted in a share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NumberOfShareOptionsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The weighted average exercise price of share options exercised in a share-based payment arrangement. [Refer: Weighted average [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause iv
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_iv&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The weighted average exercise price of share options expired in a share-based payment arrangement. [Refer: Weighted average [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause v
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_v&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The weighted average exercise price of share options forfeited in a share-based payment arrangement. [Refer: Weighted average [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause iii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_iii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share options that are exercised in a share-based payment arrangement. [Refer: Share-based payment arrangements [member]; Weighted average [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The weighted average exercise price of share options outstanding in a share-based payment arrangement. [Refer: Weighted average [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph b
-Clause vi
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_b_vi&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding share options. [Refer: Weighted average [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 2
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=2&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeOfOutstandingShareOptions
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Option term (expiration period), in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_ContractualLifeOfShareBasedAwards
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis=tu_TelusShareOptionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_RangeAxis=ifrs-full_TopOfRangeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: