XML 187 R135.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.1
Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) - CAD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Defined-Benefit Plans, information      
Defined Benefit Plan, Description Emera maintains a number of contributory defined-benefit and defined-contribution pension plans, which cover substantially all of its employees. In addition, the Company provides non-pension benefits for its retirees. These plans cover employees in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Florida, Maine, New Mexico, Barbados, Dominica and Grand Bahama Island.    
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Investment Policy and Strategy, Description The market-related value of assets is based on a five-year smoothed asset value.Any investment gains (or losses) in excess of (or less than) the expected return on plan assets are recognized on a straight-line basis into the market-related value of assets over a five-year period.    
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Expected Long-term Rate-of-Return, Description The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on historical and projected real rates of return for the plan’s current asset allocation, and assumed inflation. A real rate of return is determined for each asset class. Based on the asset allocation, an overall expected real rate of return for all assets is determined. The asset return assumption is equal to the overall real rate of return assumption added to the inflation assumption, adjusted for assumed expenses to be paid from the plan.    
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets $ 2,401 $ 2,223  
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculation, Description benefit cost of a 25 basis point change in the discount rate and asset return assumptions i    
Contribution Amount $ 34 31  
Defined benefit pension plans      
Defined-Benefit Plans, information      
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets 147 138  
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets 2,593 2,300 $ 2,408
Non-pension Benefit Plans      
Defined-Benefit Plans, information      
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets 2 2  
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets $ 56 $ 49 $ 45