Manulife Financial (MFC) 40-F 2016 FY Annual report (Canada)

Exhibit 99.8

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “interests of experts” and to the use of our reports dated February 9, 2017 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Manulife Financial Corporation (the “Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting included in the 2016 Annual Report (Form40-F) for the year ended December 31, 2016.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference and to the use of these reports dated February 9, 2017 in the following Registration Statements:

• Registration Statement (FormS-8No. 333-12610) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Manulife Financial Corporation Stock Plan forNon-Employee Directors and Executive Stock Option Plan;

• Registration Statement (FormS-8No. 333-13072) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Manulife Financial Corporation Global Share Ownership Plan;

• Registration Statement (FormS-8No. 333-157326) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Stock Plan forNon-Employee Directors, Executive Stock Option Plan and Global Share Ownership Plan;

• Registration Statement (FormS-8No. 333-114951) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and the John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.Non-Employee Directors’ Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan;

• Registration Statement (FormS-8No. 333-129430) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Employees of John Hancock and the Deferred Compensation Plan of the John Hancock Financial Network;

• Registration Statement (FormS-8No. 333-211366) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Certain Employees of John Hancock Deferred Compensation Plan for the John Hancock Financial Network;

• Registration Statement (FormF-10No. 333-208442) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to Manulife Financial Corporation’s shelf prospectus offering Debt Securities, Preferred Shares, Common Shares, Subscription Receipts, Warrants, Share Purchase Contracts and Units;

• Registration Statement (FormF-3 Nos.333-208663-01 and333-208663) of Manulife Financial Corporation and John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) pertaining to John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)’s market value adjustment interests under deferred annuity contracts;

• Registration Statement (FormF-3 Nos.333-205595-01 and333-205595) of Manulife Financial Corporation and John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) pertaining to John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.)’s market value adjustment interests under deferred annuity contracts and Manulife Financial Corporation’s subordinated guarantee relating thereto;

• Registration Statement (FormF-3 Nos.333-196805-01 and333-196805 of Manulife Financial Corporation and John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) pertaining to deferred annuity contracts with market value adjustment interests and Manulife Financial Corporation’s subordinated guarantee relating thereto; and

• Registration Statement (FormF-3No. 333-159176) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Manulife Financial Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan for U.S. Shareholders.

	/s/ “Ernst & Young LLP”
Toronto, Canada	Chartered Professional Accountants
February 9, 2017	Licensed Public Accountants