Shareholders' capital (Details Textual) - CAD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Feb. 27, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Shareholder's Capital [Abstract]
Dividends proposed or declared before financial statements authorised for issue but not recognised as distribution to owners	$ 70.3
Dividends proposed or declared before financial statements authorised for issue but not recognised as distribution to owners per share	$ 0.230
Dividends paid, ordinary shares		$ 388.1	$ 311.4
Dividends paid, ordinary shares per share		$ 2.72	$ 2.58

The amount of dividends paid by the entity on ordinary shares. [Refer: Ordinary shares [member]]

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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The amount of dividends paid per ordinary share.

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The amount of dividends proposed or declared after the reporting period but before financial statements are authorised for issue. Such dividends are not recognised as a liability at the end of the reporting period because no obligation exists at that time.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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The amount, per share, of dividends proposed or declared before financial statements were authorised for issue but not recognised as distribution to owners.

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