4 Top Canadian Healthcare Stocks for February 2025 and Beyond

Key takeaways

Demographic Tailwinds: Canada’s aging population is driving long-term demand for senior care, mobility solutions, and healthcare services, benefiting companies like Chartwell and Savaria.

Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Well Health Technologies is capitalizing on the growing adoption of telemedicine and digital tools, reflecting the sector’s shift toward technology-driven solutions.

Essential Services with Stable Demand: Companies like Andlauer Healthcare Group and Chartwell offer essential services, providing investors with stable cash flows and resilience during economic downturns.

3 stocks I like better than the ones on this list.

Given the aging population worldwide and in Canada, Canadian healthcare companies must supply medications and products both to Canadians and to customers abroad.

So, how can Canadian investors take advantage of an aging population, a rising population, new medicine, medical devices, and medical technology making our lives easier?

Well, you can invest in the top Canadian healthcare stocks. Compared to the United States, we don’t have nearly as many healthcare options. However, there certainly are some niche companies you can purchase here in Canada that can give you exposure to some promising areas of the market that should have permanent tailwinds as long as the population continues to age.

Leader in accessibility solutions for mobility

Savaria Corporation (TSE:SIS)

Savaria specializes in products that enhance mobility and accessibility, including stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, and accessible vehicles. With operations spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, Savaria caters to an aging population and people with mobility challenges. The company’s solutions are sold to both individual consumers and institutions, offering a blend of revenue stability and growth potential.

P/E: 29.9

5 Yr Revenue Growth: 24.0%

5 Yr Earnings Growth: 7.3%

5 Yr Dividend Growth: 10.2%

Yield: 2.7%

  • Growing global demand for mobility solutions due to aging populations.
  • Diversified product portfolio across residential, commercial, and healthcare markets.
  • Expanding international presence, with significant growth opportunities in Europe.
  • Resilient revenue streams supported by essential healthcare products.
  • Consistent dividend payer with a yield of ~3%.
  • Focus on innovation to meet evolving customer needs, such as home-based accessibility.
  • Aging Population: Demographic shifts in Canada and globally are driving demand for accessibility solutions.
  • Geographic Expansion: Savaria’s push into Europe and Asia opens new growth markets.
  • Homecare Growth: Rising preference for aging in place boosts demand for stairlifts and other home-based solutions.
  • Product Innovation: Continued innovation in mobility devices can help Savaria capture more market share.
  • Economic Sensitivity: Consumer-focused products may face challenges during economic downturns.
  • Competition: The mobility solutions market is competitive, requiring ongoing innovation to maintain leadership.
  • Supply Chain Issues: Disruptions in manufacturing or materials could impact product availability.
  • Currency Fluctuations: As an international operator, Savaria is exposed to foreign exchange risks.

Digital healthcare provider and clinic operator

Well Health Technologies (TSE:WELL)

Well Health Technologies is a leader in digital healthcare, offering telemedicine services, electronic medical record (EMR) software, and clinic management solutions. The company also owns and operates physical clinics across Canada, blending traditional healthcare with innovative digital tools. WELL’s aggressive acquisition strategy has made it a significant player in the digital transformation of healthcare in Canada and abroad.

P/E: 23.3

5 Yr Revenue Growth: 136.2%

5 Yr Earnings Growth: -%

5 Yr Dividend Growth: -%

Yield: -%

  • Leader in the fast-growing digital healthcare market.
  • Revenue diversification from telehealth, clinics, and healthcare software.
  • Aggressive acquisition strategy drives rapid growth and market consolidation.
  • Positioned to benefit from increasing adoption of telemedicine post-pandemic.
  • High-margin revenue from software and recurring subscriptions.
  • Expansion into the U.S. and other international markets offers significant growth potential.
  • Telemedicine Adoption: Increasing use of telehealth services provides long-term growth opportunities.
  • Acquisition Activity: Monitor WELL’s acquisitions, as they’ve been a key driver of growth and market share gains.
  • Healthcare Digitization: Growing demand for EMR software and digital tools positions WELL as an industry leader.
  • International Expansion: WELL’s entry into the U.S. and other markets could significantly boost revenues.
  • Acquisition Risks: Poor integration of acquired companies could dilute margins and impact growth.
  • Competitive Market: The digital healthcare space is crowded, with competitors like Teladoc Health posing challenges.
  • Profitability Concerns: As a growth-focused company, WELL may face pressure to deliver consistent earnings.
  • Regulatory Risks: Changes in telehealth reimbursement policies could impact revenue streams.

Healthcare logistics and transportation leader

Andlauer Healthcare Group (TSE:AND)

Andlauer Healthcare Group specializes in logistics, transportation, and warehousing for the healthcare industry. The company ensures the safe and efficient delivery of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other health-related products across Canada. Andlauer’s focus on the healthcare sector provides it with stable, non-cyclical demand and a strong reputation for reliability in a highly regulated industry.

P/E: 29.2

5 Yr Revenue Growth: 18.5%

5 Yr Earnings Growth: 15.9%

5 Yr Dividend Growth: -%

Yield: 0.9%

  • Essential service provider for Canada’s healthcare supply chain.
  • Stable demand for pharmaceutical and medical logistics.
  • Expanding services and infrastructure, including temperature-controlled transportation.
  • Asset-light model supports strong margins and return on investment.
  • Reliable dividend payer with room for growth as healthcare demand rises.
  • Long-term contracts with key healthcare clients ensure predictable cash flows.
  • Healthcare Logistics Demand: Rising demand for pharmaceuticals and medical devices supports long-term growth.
  • Specialized Transportation Services: Increasing need for temperature-controlled and time-sensitive logistics is a key growth driver.
  • Infrastructure Expansion: New warehousing and transportation investments expand Andlauer’s capabilities.
  • Pandemic Impact: Monitor how continued healthcare spending boosts demand for logistics services.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Strict regulations in healthcare logistics could increase costs or create operational challenges.
  • Economic Downturns: Though healthcare demand is stable, broader economic conditions may impact client budgets.
  • Competition: Larger logistics providers could enter the healthcare market and erode margins.
  • Client Concentration: Heavy reliance on a few key clients could pose risks if contracts are lost.

Canada’s largest operator of senior living communities

Chartwell Retirement Residences (TSE:CSH.UN)

Chartwell Retirement Residences owns and operates retirement communities across Canada, offering independent living, assisted living, and long-term care options for seniors. With Canada’s aging population, Chartwell is uniquely positioned to benefit from growing demand for senior housing and care services. The company generates stable cash flows from rental income and government funding for its long-term care facilities.

P/E: 1131.4

5 Yr Revenue Growth: -3.1%

5 Yr Earnings Growth: 43.7%

5 Yr Dividend Growth: 0.9%

Yield: 4.0%

  • Canada’s largest senior living operator with a strong national presence.
  • Aging population drives sustained demand for senior care services.
  • Stable revenue from government-funded long-term care facilities.
  • Resilient dividend yield of ~6%, appealing to income-focused investors.
  • Ongoing investments in new communities support long-term growth.
  • Improving occupancy rates post-pandemic provide a growth catalyst.
  • Aging Demographics: The rising number of seniors in Canada ensures long-term demand for Chartwell’s services.
  • Post-Pandemic Recovery: Occupancy rates in retirement residences are rebounding, driving revenue growth.
  • New Facility Development: Continued investment in modern facilities expands capacity and enhances services.
  • Government Policies: Monitor funding and regulatory changes impacting long-term care facilities.
  • Pandemic Aftereffects: Future health crises could impact occupancy rates and operating costs.
  • Labor Shortages: Staffing challenges in the healthcare industry may increase costs.
  • Competition: New entrants or alternative senior care options could erode market share.
  • Regulatory Risk: Changes in healthcare regulations or funding could impact profitability.

Overall, this article should give you a nice roundup of top Canadian healthcare stocks

The primary benefit to this from an investing standpoint is that Canadian healthcare stocks will inevitably post higher revenues and, as current investors hope, more profits. New investors learning how to invest in stocks often flock to healthcare stocks, more than likely due to their potential to provide better-than-average returns.

According to Universities Canada, in 2023, approximately 7.3 million Canadians were aged 65 or older. This represented approximately 20% of the total population, which is the highest share of the total population ever.

The population is expected to keep aging, too. According to population projections, in 2051 a whopping 24.9% of Canadians will be over the age of 65.

By then, projections say female life expectancy is expected to be 87 years!

While most of the options on this list are small to mid-cap players, we don’t have any large-scale healthcare stocks here in Canada. If you want something like that, you’ll have to head south of the border, where you’ll find plenty.

But I wouldn’t be shying away from looking at these four options because they’re small in stature. Three are in explosive industries growth-wise and should be able to provide long-standing returns to investors in the future. The other, being Chartwell, is a more stable income play.

Rapid spending means good things for the top healthcare stocks

Healthcare expenditures make up a double-digit percentage of our GDP here in Canada. In 2019, healthcare spending hit a whopping $264B. In 2024 this number hit $372B. This number is almost guaranteed to continue to grow over the long-term.

Although this revenue certainly isn’t the total addressable market for the stocks on this list, there is no doubt they will benefit from an increase in spending and overall an increase in the older population here in Canada.

The pandemic also brought to light numerous deficiencies in our healthcare system, ones the government might look to alleviate as we move forward. When we think of the pandemic, we think of many U.S. healthcare companies like Pfizer and Moderna. However, we tend to overlook the adoption of digitial health, which should ultimately benefit companies like Well Health.

And while U.S. pharmaceuticals are often more mature dividend stocks, there is still plenty of potential here in Canada from a capital appreciate standpoint if you want exposure.