The interest rate on borrowings. [Refer: Borrowings]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_7&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- 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

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

- Definition

The amount of undrawn borrowing facilities that may be available for future operating activities and to settle capital commitments. [Refer: Capital commitments]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 50
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-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_50_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

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Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The weighted average interest rate on borrowings.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_BorrowingsWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Borrowings that are outstanding at the reporting date, excluding unamortized costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_GrossBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_IfrsLineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total long-term borrowings, including the current and non-current portion.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_LongTermBorrowingsCurrentAndNonCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the number of financial ratio tests defined in the agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of principal advance to repay.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	tu_PercentageOfPrincipalAdvanceToRepayBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Ratio of net debt divided by operating cash flow.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Operating cash flows divided by interest and scheduled principal repayment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	tu_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	na
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long-term debt - TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility (Details) $ in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2018 CAD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 CAD ($)
long-term debt
Maximum aggregate amount of credit facility		$ 2,250		$ 2,250
Long-term debt		14,101		13,660
Undrawn borrowing facilities		1,476		1,110
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility
long-term debt
Maximum aggregate amount of credit facility	$ 463		$ 469
Outstanding	313		276
Long-term debt		$ 419		$ 339
Undrawn borrowing facilities	$ 150		193
Number of financial ratio tests \| item	2	2
Percentage of principal advance to repay	5.00%
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility \| Minimum
long-term debt
Operating cash flow to debt service ratio	1.50	1.50
TELUS International (Cda) Inc. credit facility \| Maximum
long-term debt
Net debt to operating cash flow ratio	3.25	3.25
Revolving component
long-term debt
Maximum aggregate amount of credit facility	$ 350		350
Outstanding	200	$ 427	157
Long-term debt		$ (419)
Undrawn borrowing facilities	$ 150		193
Weighted average interest rate	4.22%	4.22%
Term loan component
long-term debt
Maximum aggregate amount of credit facility	$ 120		120
Outstanding	$ 113		$ 119
Term loan component \| Fixed interest rate
long-term debt
Fixed interest rate	2.64%	2.64%