If you are looking for passive income from Canadian stocks, there are plenty of opportunities around. Some of Canada’s largest economic sectors (such as energy, infrastructure, financials, real estate, and staples) pay out big dividends to shareholders.
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If you want passive income to last decades, focus on the business and not the yield
However, not every dividend is equal. Stocks with high dividend yields (like over 7%) can often be a trap for shareholders. The immediately elevated cash return might seem attractive.
However, high-dividend-yield stocks are often priced accordingly because they have elevated business, balance sheet, or competitive risks. These stocks can be good for trading, but they are not often good long-term investments.
A better bet is buying stocks with modest dividend yields, but you know that the dividend is sustainable. It is even better if that company has a long record of growing that dividend.
The best companies normally increase their dividend as their earnings/cash flows rise. Not only do you get a rising passive income payout, but you also get a rising stock price. It’s a great double benefit for investors. The best Canadian dividend stocks can compound their earnings, share price, and dividends all at the same time.
If you are looking for some quality Canadian dividend stocks, here are two to invest in for the long haul.
A Canadian real estate stock with a safe long-term dividend
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: GRT.UN) has been one of the best Canadian dividend-growth stocks in the REIT universe. It has increased its distribution for 14 consecutive years!
Granite is not the fastest-growing stock. In the past five years, adjusted funds from operations have risen by 47% (or an 8% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR)). In that time, its distribution has increased by 15%.
Granite has a portfolio of high-grade industrial properties across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. It had some vacancy issues in 2024 and early 2025. However, those issues have started to abate, and the REIT actually raised its guidance after the second quarter.
Granite stock yields 4.35%. The REIT trades at a large discount to its private market value today. Even after rising 14% this year, there is still some good upside left in the stock.
Overall, this Canadian dividend stock is a bit boring. However, it has a very strong balance sheet and a strong list of tenants with long-term leases. It’s a sleep-well-at-night kind of stock to hold for steady income over the years to come.
This Canadian stock has a lower yield, but great total returns
Intact Financial (TSX: IFC) is another great long-term Canadian dividend growth stock. It has raised its dividend for 20 consecutive years. Over the past 10 years, it has increased its dividend by 10% CAGR.
Not only has its dividend risen, but its stock is up 196% in the past decade. Intact has built out a leading insurance platform across Canada. Smart acquisitions have given it scale, efficiency, and data for effectively underwriting risk.
Intact earns above-average returns on equity. Net operating income per share has risen by a strong 10% CAGR. The company is not yet complete in its growth trajectory either. It has new fronts in the U.K. and a growing specialty insurance business.
Intact stock only yields 2% today. This Canadian stock is down 10% in the past six months. It’s a high-quality business with a record of compounding solid total shareholder returns. It might be an interesting time to start picking away at it.
