<?xml version="1.0"?>
<informationTable xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/document/thirteenf/informationtable" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ACCENTURE PLC IRELAND</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SHS CLASS A</titleOfClass><cusip>G1151C101</cusip><value>210</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1715</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1715</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AFLAC INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>001055102</cusip><value>44770</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>622926</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>622926</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AGRIUM INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>008916108</cusip><value>62186</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>687190</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>687190</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ALPHABET INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CAP STK CL C</titleOfClass><cusip>02079K107</cusip><value>101852</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>131035</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>131035</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AMERICAN ELEC PWR INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>025537101</cusip><value>375</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>5845</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>5845</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AMERICAN INTL GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>026874784</cusip><value>51883</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>874335</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>874335</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>039483102</cusip><value>397</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>9422</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>9422</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BANK N S HALIFAX</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>064149107</cusip><value>128491</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2621585</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2621585</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BARD C R INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>067383109</cusip><value>224</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1000</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CANADIAN NAT RES LTD</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>136385101</cusip><value>51169</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1600348</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1600348</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CANADIAN NATL RY CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>136375102</cusip><value>83749</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1280945</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1280945</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CITIGROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>172967424</cusip><value>45303</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>959202</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>959202</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>COMCAST CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>20030N101</cusip><value>36576</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>551340</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>551340</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CORNING INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>219350105</cusip><value>51033</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2157840</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2157840</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CROWN CASTLE INTL CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>22822V101</cusip><value>42362</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>449658</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>449658</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>DOW CHEM CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>260543103</cusip><value>50471</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>973785</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>973785</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>EATON CORP PLC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SHS</titleOfClass><cusip>G29183103</cusip><value>23627</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>359560</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>359560</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ENBRIDGE INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>29250N105</cusip><value>38319</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>866600</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>866600</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>EOG RES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>26875P101</cusip><value>68807</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>711481</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>711481</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>EXXON MOBIL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>30231G102</cusip><value>451</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>5167</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>5167</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>FNF GROUP COM</titleOfClass><cusip>31620R303</cusip><value>35374</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>958388</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>958388</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>GENERAL ELECTRIC CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>369604103</cusip><value>452</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>15247</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>15247</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>GILEAD SCIENCES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>375558103</cusip><value>32659</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>412773</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>412773</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HALLIBURTON CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>406216101</cusip><value>35144</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>783057</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>783057</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HARLEY DAVIDSON INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>412822108</cusip><value>33528</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>637542</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>637542</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE C</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>42824C109</cusip><value>24052</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1057229</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1057229</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>JOHNSON &amp; JOHNSON</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>478160104</cusip><value>78856</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>667532</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>667532</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>JPMORGAN CHASE &amp; CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>46625H100</cusip><value>50149</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>753097</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>753097</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>KIMBERLY CLARK CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>494368103</cusip><value>400</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3169</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3169</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>539830109</cusip><value>418</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1743</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1743</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MACYS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>55616P104</cusip><value>34757</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>938102</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>938102</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MAGNA INTL INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>559222401</cusip><value>57925</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1349084</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1349084</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MANULIFE FINL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>56501R106</cusip><value>66536</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>4715060</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>4715060</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MASTERCARD INCORPORATED</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>57636Q104</cusip><value>44626</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>438502</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>438502</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MEDTRONIC PLC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SHS</titleOfClass><cusip>G5960L103</cusip><value>40244</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>465792</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>465792</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MICROSOFT CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>594918104</cusip><value>84823</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1472625</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1472625</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MONSANTO CO NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>61166W101</cusip><value>24505</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>239776</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>239776</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>NIELSEN HLDGS PLC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SHS EUR</titleOfClass><cusip>G6518L108</cusip><value>37960</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>708598</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>708598</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PEPSICO INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>713448108</cusip><value>400</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3679</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3679</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PFIZER INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>717081103</cusip><value>58449</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1725681</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1725681</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PRECISION DRILLING CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM 2010</titleOfClass><cusip>74022D308</cusip><value>27993</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>6700454</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>6700454</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PROCTER AND GAMBLE CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>742718109</cusip><value>45206</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>503689</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>503689</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>QUALCOMM INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>747525103</cusip><value>36015</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>525766</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>525766</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>REPUBLIC SVCS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>760759100</cusip><value>1844</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>36542</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>36542</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ROYAL BK CDA MONTREAL QUE</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>780087102</cusip><value>186609</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3012239</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3012239</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SCHLUMBERGER LTD</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>806857108</cusip><value>54804</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>696894</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>696894</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SHAW COMMUNICATIONS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL B CONV</titleOfClass><cusip>82028K200</cusip><value>57176</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2793200</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2793200</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SPECTRA ENERGY CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>847560109</cusip><value>59837</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1399688</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1399688</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>STANTEC INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>85472N109</cusip><value>11070</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>470975</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>470975</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SUNCOR ENERGY INC NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>867224107</cusip><value>66031</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2378153</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2378153</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SYSCO CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>871829107</cusip><value>385</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>7862</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>7862</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>883556102</cusip><value>51733</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>325241</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>325241</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TJX COS INC NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>872540109</cusip><value>32591</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>435830</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>435830</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TORONTO DOMINION BK ONT</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>891160509</cusip><value>157909</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3556482</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>3556482</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TRANSCANADA CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>89353D107</cusip><value>28162</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>591134</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>591134</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>UNION PAC CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>907818108</cusip><value>55994</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>574120</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>574120</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>UNITED PARCEL SERVICE INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL B</titleOfClass><cusip>911312106</cusip><value>49039</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>448420</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>448420</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>UNITEDHEALTH GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>91324P102</cusip><value>31789</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>227065</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>227065</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>92343V104</cusip><value>3096</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>59563</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>59563</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>WASTE CONNECTIONS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>94106B101</cusip><value>36560</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>490089</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>490089</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>WELLS FARGO &amp; CO NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>949746101</cusip><value>44029</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>994339</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>994339</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable></informationTable>
