Accounting Changes (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Accounting Changes

Implemented in 2020

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the new Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), and all related amendments under FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Using a modified retrospective approach, the Company recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to its opening retained earnings balance in the period of adoption. Accordingly, comparative financial information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.

The impact of the adoption of ASC 326 as at January 1, 2020 was an increase in the allowance for credit losses of $1 million, with the offsets to "Deferred income taxes" and "Retained earnings" on the Company's Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 8 for further discussion of the current period credit loss.

Simplification of Financial Disclosures about Guarantors

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company early adopted the Securities and Exchange Commission amendments to the financial disclosure requirements for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities, as specified in Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The amendments simplify disclosure requirements by replacing condensed consolidating financial information (“CCFI”) with summarized financial information and expanded qualitative non-financial disclosures about the guarantees, issuers, and guarantors. This disclosure can be found in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.