Capital Management - Summary of Regulatory Capital and Capital Ratios (Parenthetical) (Detail) - CAD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 31, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020
Disclosure of regulatory capital and capital ratios [Line Items]
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Basel I floor adjustment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Tier 1 Capital Basel I floor adjustment	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Disclosure of regulatory capital and capital ratios [Line Items]

No definition available.

Name:	bns_DisclosureOfRegulatoryCapitalAndCapitalRatiosLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	bns_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration