REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) ETFs let Canadian investors get diversified real-estate exposure without buying property. They hold shares in publicly traded REITs that own apartment buildings, shopping centres, industrial warehouses, and office towers. Most pay monthly distributions, with current yields around 4–6%.
| Ticker | Name | MER | AUM | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XRE | iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF | 0.61% | $1.4B | Monthly |
Largest by AUM: XRE ($1.4B). Lowest MER: XRE at 0.61%. AUM and MER are approximate snapshots — confirm on the issuer's fund page before investing.
Three main funds dominate: XRE (iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT) at $1.4B AUM and 0.61% MER, ZRE (BMO Equal Weight REITs), and VRE (Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT). XRE is market-cap weighted — the largest REITs (CAPREIT, RioCan, Granite, Choice Properties) dominate. ZRE equal-weights, giving more exposure to mid-cap REITs. Distributions are mostly 'return of capital' and 'other income' — not eligible dividends — so they're taxed differently from bank ETFs.
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Snapshot date: 2026-04-15. 1 Canadian-listed ETFs covering canadian reits, with MERs from 0.61% to 0.61%. Educational only — not advice. Verify all rates and holdings with the issuer before investing.
Last reviewed: April 2026