These Are the Dividends I’d Lock in Before 2026

With interest rates holding steady and ongoing market volatility, now is as good a time for income-focused investors as any to lock in high-quality dividends. 

The Canadian equity market currently offers a yield of roughly 2.5%, but patient investors don’t need to settle for average. By focusing on durable businesses yielding closer to 5% — and with a track record of dividend growth — it’s possible to build a portfolio that pays you well today while positioning you for long-term total returns. Here are three Canadian stocks I’d seriously consider locking in before 2026.

A renewable dividend built for decades

Brookfield Renewable Partners (TSX:BEP.UN) is one of the world’s largest pure-play renewable power platforms. Its portfolio spans hydroelectric, wind, solar, and energy transition assets across multiple continents, giving it scale and diversification few competitors can match. With global electrification, data centre growth, and decarbonization all accelerating, Brookfield Renewable is positioned to benefit for decades.

What truly underpins the dividend, however, is cash flow stability. Roughly 90% of its cash flows are contracted for an average of about 13 years, providing visibility and resilience even in uncertain markets. 

Backed by an investment-grade balance sheet and access to multiple sources of capital, management targets long-term annual returns of 12–15% while growing its distribution by 5–9% per year.

That track record isn’t just theoretical. Over the past decade, Brookfield Renewable delivered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 12.9%, turning a $1,000 investment into roughly $3,349. Its distribution has risen for about 15 consecutive years at a 6.1% CAGR. 

Trading near $37 per unit — about 18% below its 52-week high — the units currently yield approximately 5.6% and appear modestly undervalued.

A reliable dividend engine in any oil cycle

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ) is another dividend I’d want locked in before 2026. Unlike more cyclical energy producers, CNQ’s long-life, low-decline assets and industry-leading cost structure allow it to generate strong free cash flow across a wide range of oil prices.

This operational discipline has translated into exceptional shareholder returns. Over the past 10 years, the company delivered a CAGR of about 17.3%, growing a $1,000 investment to nearly $4,948. 

Even more impressive is its dividend record: CNQ has raised its payout for roughly 24 consecutive years, with a 10-year dividend-growth rate approaching 17%.

At around $45 per share, the energy stock yields about 5.2%, and analysts estimate the stock trades at a 14% discount to fair value. For income investors seeking both yield and inflation protection, it remains a reasonable option.

A higher-risk income opportunity

For investors with a higher risk tolerance, goeasy (TSX:GSY) adds a different flavour of dividend potential. The non-prime lender has fallen roughly 40% from its 52-week high and trades near $130 per share — about one-third below its long-term valuation norms.

While goeasy’s business is more sensitive to economic conditions, its long-term growth history and disciplined capital management make it intriguing. 

At current levels, investors are paid roughly a 4.5% dividend yield while waiting for earnings recovery and price appreciation potential. In a diversified portfolio, it could meaningfully enhance income and long-term returns.

Taken together, these three stocks offer a blend of stability, growth, and yield — exactly what I’d want to lock in before 2026.

The post These Are the Dividends I’d Lock in Before 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

Should you invest $1,000 in Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. right now?

Before you buy stock in Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P., consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team identified what they believe are the 15 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. wasn’t one of them. The 15 stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 … if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $21,105.89!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor Canada’s total average return is 95%* – a market-crushing outperformance compared to 72%* for the S&P/TSX Composite Index. Don’t miss out on our top 15 list, available when you join Stock Advisor Canada.

See the 15 Stocks #start_btn6 { background: #0e6d04 none repeat scroll 0 0; color: #fff; font-size: 1.2em; font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; font-weight: 600; height: auto; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 30px 0; max-width: 350px; text-align: center; width: auto; box-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5), 0 1px 0 #fff inset, 0 0 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); border-radius: 5px; } #start_btn6 a { color: #fff; display: block; padding: 20px; padding-right:1em; padding-left:1em; } #start_btn6 a:hover { background: #FFE300 none repeat scroll 0 0; color: #000; } @media (max-width: 480px) { div#start_btn6 { font-size:1.1em; max-width: 320px;} } margin_bottom_5 { margin-bottom:5px; } margin_top_10 { margin-top:10px; }

* Returns as of November 17th, 2025

More reading

• 3 Must-Own Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks for Canadians
• How Married Canadians Can Earn Nearly $10,000 Per Year in Tax-Free Passive Income
• 3 of the Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Long-Term Passive Income
• Here Are My Top 2 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now
• Invest Ahead: 3 Potential Big Winners in 2026 and Beyond

Fool contributor Kay Ng has positions in goeasy. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Renewable Partners and Canadian Natural Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.