Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) - CAD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 31, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Restatement [abstract]
Undistributed retained earnings	$ 60	$ 64	$ 61

Undistributed Retained Earnings in Foreign Associates

No definition available.

Name:	bns_UndistributedRetainedEarningsInForeignAssociates
Namespace Prefix:	bns_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant