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 (Form 40-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 (Form S-8 No. 333-12610) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Manulife Financial Corporation
Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors and Executive Stock Option Plan;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-13072) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Manulife Financial Corporation
Global Share Ownership Plan;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-157326) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors, Executive Stock Option Plan and Global Share Ownership Plan;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 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;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 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;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 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;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form F-10 No. 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;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form F-3 Nos. 333-208663-01 and
333-208663) 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;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form F-3 Nos. 333-205595-01 and
333-205595) 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;
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form F-3 Nos. 333-196805-01 and
333-196805 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
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| |  |  | Registration Statement (Form F-3 No. 333-159176) of Manulife Financial Corporation pertaining to the Manulife Financial Corporation
Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan for U.S. Shareholders.
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|                 |  |  |  | /s/ Ernst & Young LLP           
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|Toronto, Canada  |  |  |  | Chartered Professional Accountants
|February 9, 2017 |  |  |  | Licensed Public Accountants