Canadian traders are looking for good shares to personal inside their self-directed Tax-Free Financial savings Account (TFSA) portfolios.

Within the present market circumstances, the place the TSX sits close to a document excessive and unsure financial circumstances persist amid the continued commerce points with america, it is sensible to contemplate shares that may pay you a gradual dividend by means of difficult instances.

Fortis

Fortis (TSX:FTS) is a superb instance of a prime TSX dividend-growth inventory that TFSA traders can merely sit on for many years.

The utility firm operates $75 billion in property unfold out throughout Canada, america, and the Caribbean. Companies within the portfolio embody energy era services, pure fuel distribution utilities, and electrical energy transmission traces. Energy and gas are required by houses and companies whatever the state of the economic system, so Fortis ought to be defensive inventory for traders to carry throughout a recession.

Fortis is engaged on a capital program of near $29 billion that may enhance the speed base from $42 billion to $58 billion over 5 years. The incremental income and money movement coming from the brand new property as they’re accomplished and go into service ought to help deliberate annual dividend will increase of 4% to six% by means of 2030. Fortis elevated the dividend in every of the previous 52 years, so traders ought to be comfy with the steering.

On the time of writing, Fortis offers a dividend yield of three.5%.

Enbridge

Enbridge (TSX:ENB) spent US$14 billion in 2024 to purchase three pure fuel utilities in america. The offers turned Enbridge into the most important pure fuel utility operator in North America and additional diversified the income stream.

Enbridge’s core oil and pure fuel pipeline companies nonetheless stay essential, and enlargement of the property continues. Enbridge lately introduced a US$1.8 billion venture to spice up capability on its Mainline system. Brownfield initiatives are simpler to finish than new main oil pipelines, and Enbridge is benefiting from its distinctive place available in the market to ship upgrades to deal with demand from power producers.

Up to now few years, Enbridge has additionally bought an oil export terminal in Texas and bulked up its renewables division with the acquisition of an American photo voltaic and wind venture developer.

Throughout the asset portfolio, Enbridge is engaged on $35 billion in capital initiatives. Administration expects the brand new property to drive 3% to five% annual development in distributable money movement over the medium time period. This could allow Enbridge to increase its dividend development streak, which presently sits at 30 years.

Buyers who purchase ENB inventory on the present degree can get a dividend yield of 5.6%.

Financial institution of Nova Scotia

Financial institution of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS) is making good progress on its turnaround plan, which incorporates shifting its development focus from Latin America to america and Canada. Financial institution of Nova Scotia bought a 14.9% stake in KeyCorp, an American regional financial institution, final 12 months and offered its operations in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama in early 2025. The financial institution can also be streamlining operations to enhance effectivity and cut back working bills.

BNS has loved a pleasant rally over the previous six months. Extra upside might be on the best way for the inventory because the technique transition continues. Buyers who purchase on the present worth can get a dividend yield of 4.6%.

The underside line

Fortis, Enbridge, and Financial institution of Nova Scotia pay engaging dividends that ought to proceed to develop. You probably have some money to place to work in a TFSA, these shares should be in your radar.