Think dividend-paying

stocks are for sissies? Just look at what they’ve done for Ken Thomson (right), Canada’s richest man and head of the family that controls electronic information distributor Thomson Corp. While his stake in the company is worth almost $18-billion, Mr. Thomson will probably never need to sell any stock, thanks to the almost US$90-million he and his family receive in dividends every three months. Want to play Mr. Thomson’s game? Here are five large-capitalization (translation: big company), dividend-paying stocks that have had some of the fastest payout increases in the past five years, according to UBS Canada equity strategist George Vasic:

Loblaw Cos. Dividends on Loblaw shares pile up almost as fast as PC Points on an eating binge. The company, Canada’s largest grocer, aims to pay out as much of a quarter of its profit to investors.

Bank of Nova Scotia. Scotiabank has raised its dividend twice this fiscal year, rewarding shareholders who bet on the bank’s strategy of expansion in Latin America.

Manulife Financial Corp. Don’t like rising insurance premiums? Get some back. Canada’s largest insurer has tripled its per-share dividend since 2000.

National Bank of Canada. Quebec’s dominant bank has cranked up its payout every second quarter in recent years. And so far, it still counts as Canadian content in your RRSP.

Canadian National Railway Co. The country’s biggest railway has increased its dividend nine years running. All aboard!