Major commitments and contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Minimum rental payments for operating leases and minimum lease payments for capital leases in each of the next five years and thereafter [Text Block]

In millions			Operating		Capital
2017		$	140	$	224
2018			126		24
2019			96		17
2020			66		22
2021			48		12
2022 and thereafter			153		140
Total		$	629		439
Less:	Imputed interest on capital leases at rates ranging from approximately 0.7% to 6.8%				95
Present value of minimum lease payments included in debt (Note 10)				$	344

Provision for specific environmental sites [Text Block]

As at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s provision for specific environmental sites was as follows:

In millions		2016		2015		2014
Beginning of year	$	110	$	114	$	119
Accruals and other		6		81		11
Payments		(29)		(91)		(19)
Foreign exchange		(1)		6		3
End of year	$	86	$	110	$	114
Current portion - End of year	$	50	$	51	$	45

Employee injuries, Canada

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Contingencies, employee injuries [Text Block]

As at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s provision for personal injury and other claims in Canada was as follows:

In millions		2016		2015		2014
Beginning of year	$	191	$	203	$	210
Accruals and other		24		17		28
Payments		(32)		(29)		(35)
End of year	$	183	$	191	$	203
Current portion - End of year	$	39	$	27	$	28

Employee injuries, United States

Loss Contingencies [Line Items]

Contingencies, employee injuries [Text Block]

As at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s provision for personal injury and other claims in the U.S. was asfollows:

In millions		2016		2015		2014
Beginning of year	$	105	$	95	$	106
Accruals and other		51		22		2
Payments		(34)		(30)		(22)
Foreign exchange		(4)		18		9
End of year	$	118	$	105	$	95
Current portion - End of year	$	37	$	24	$	20