You’re lying awake at night, wondering how to make extra cash without chaining yourself to another job.
Inflation’s eating your paycheck.
Rent’s due.
Groceries cost more than your car payment.
You want freedom, not another boss breathing down your neck.
Passive income is the answer—money that rolls in while you sleep, eat, or binge your favorite show.
Canada’s got unique opportunities for side hustles that don’t suck your soul dry.
This post lays out the 11 best passive side hustles for Canadians in 2025.
Why Truehost.ca Is Your Side Hustle’s Secret Weapon
Most passive side hustles need a website—blogs, e-commerce, digital products, you name it.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard, but you need a reliable, cheap platform to host your hustle.
Truehost.ca is Canada’s best-kept secret for web hosting.
Blazing-fast servers.
Rock-bottom prices starting at $2.49/month.
Free SSL certificates to keep your site secure.
24/7 support that doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out.
Whether you’re launching a blog or an online store, Truehost.ca (https://truehost.ca) sets you up for success without draining your wallet.
Think of it like renting a prime storefront for your hustle—at the cost of a coffee.
Get started now, and thank me later.
What Makes a Side Hustle Truly Passive?
Passive doesn’t mean zero work.
You’ll grind upfront to set things up.
The goal? A system that runs itself, spitting out cash with minimal babysitting.
Here’s what to look for:
- Low maintenance: Once it’s built, it shouldn’t need daily tweaks.
- Scalable: Small tweaks can lead to big returns.
- Leverages skills or assets: Use what you’ve got—time, knowledge, or stuff.
- Canada-friendly: Local platforms, tax rules, and demand matter.
Let’s get to the good stuff.
1. Start a Blog and Monetize It
Blogging isn’t dead—it’s a cash machine if you do it right.
Pick a niche you’re obsessed with: personal finance, fitness, or even maple syrup recipes.
Write killer content, drive traffic, and cash in through ads, affiliates, or products.
Rachel from Vancouver started a parenting blog.
Two years in, she’s pulling $5,000/month from affiliate links and sponsored posts.
She works 10 hours a week now.
How to Start:
- Pick a niche with demand (use Google Trends to check).
- Set up a site on Truehost.ca for cheap hosting.
- Write 10-20 high-value posts to start.
- Use SEO tools like Yoast to rank on Google.
- Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates.
Earning Potential:
$500-$10,000/month after 12-18 months.
Pro Tip: Outsource writing to freelancers once you’re making bank.
Read also: How to Start a Blog and Make Money in Canada
2. Create and Sell Digital Products
Jodi from Toronto made $10,000/month selling printable chore charts on Etsy.
She spent a weekend designing, uploaded them, and now it’s autopilot cash.
E-books, planners, templates—create once, sell forever.
How to Start:
- Find a problem you can solve (e.g., budget templates for students).
- Use Canva to design professional-looking products.
- List on Etsy, Gumroad, or your Truehost.ca site.
- Promote on Pinterest and Instagram for free traffic.
Earning Potential:
$100-$5,000/month depending on niche and marketing. Bundle products to boost sales.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products, earn commissions.
It’s like being a salesperson without the sleazy suit.
Mike from Calgary reviews camping gear on his blog.
Each Amazon link earns him 4-8% per sale.
He made $3,000 last month while hiking.
How to Start:
- Join programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Rakuten.
- Create content (blog, YouTube, or social posts) around products.
- Use Truehost.ca to host a review site.
- Drive traffic with SEO or Pinterest.
Earning Potential:
$200-$10,000/month with consistent traffic.
Focus on high-ticket items for bigger payouts.
4. Dropshipping
Sell products without touching inventory. Your supplier handles everything—manufacturing, shipping, all of it.
How to Start:
- Use Shopify + Truehost.ca for a slick online store.
- Find trending products on AliExpress or Spocket.
- Market through Instagram ads or TikTok.
- Automate order forwarding to suppliers.
Earning Potential:
$1,000-$50,000/month (scales with effort). Test products fast to find winners.
5. Rent Out Your Property on Airbnb
Got a spare room or a cottage?
List it on Airbnb for passive rental income.
How to Start:
- Create a listing with pro photos.
- Set competitive pricing based on local demand.
- Use Airbnb’s auto-pricing tool.
- Hire a cleaner to handle turnover.
Earning Potential:
$500-$5,000/month depending on location.
Check local bylaws before listing.
6. Sell Stock Photography
Got a camera?
Chloe from Halifax shoots landscapes on weekends.
Snap photos, upload to Shutterstock, and earn royalties.
Her portfolio earns $800/month without lifting a finger now.
How to Start:
- Invest in a decent camera ($500-$2,000).
- Shoot high-demand subjects (business, nature, food).
- Upload to Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images.
- Build a library of 500+ images for steady income.
Earning Potential:
$100-$2,000/month after building a portfolio.
Batch-upload to save time.
7. Create an Online Course
Turn your expertise into a course on Udemy or Teachable.
How to Start:
- Pick a skill people want (coding, cooking, etc.).
- Record videos with a smartphone and free editing software.
- Host on Teachable or your Truehost.ca site.
- Promote through social media or a blog.
Earning Potential:
$500-$20,000/month once established.
Offer a free mini-course to hook buyers.
8. Peer-to-Peer Lending
Lend money to strangers, earn interest. Platforms like LendingClub make it easy.
How to Start:
- Sign up on LendingClub or Prosper.
- Start with small loans ($25-$100) to diversify.
- Reinvest earnings for compound growth.
- Research borrower profiles to minimize risk.
Earning Potential:
5-10% annual returns.
Pro Tip: Spread investments across many loans.
9. Sell Print-on-Demand Merch
Design t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases.
Printful handles production and shipping.
How to Start:
- Create designs using Canva or Photoshop.
- Set up a store on Shopify or Truehost.ca.
- Partner with Printful or Redbubble.
- Market on TikTok or Etsy.
Earning Potential:
$200-$5,000/month with good designs.
Follow trends for hot sellers.
10. Invest in Dividend Stocks
Buy stocks that pay you regularly. It’s like planting a money tree.
How to Start:
- Open a Wealthsimple or Questwealth account.
- Research stable dividend stocks (e.g., TD Bank, Enbridge).
- Invest $1,000-$10,000 to start.
- Reinvest dividends for compounding.
Earning Potential:
3-6% annual returns.
Pro Tip: Use DRIPs (Dividend Reinvestment Plans) for growth.
11. License Your Intellectual Property
Got a patent, book, or song? License it for royalties.
How to Start:
- Identify your IP (music, software, designs).
- Find buyers through platforms like ClickBank.
- Hire a lawyer to draft licensing agreements.
- Promote through industry networks.
Earning Potential:
$500-$10,000/month depending on IP value.
Protect your IP with copyrights or patents.
How to Pick the Right Side Hustle for You
Not every hustle fits every person. Here’s how to choose:
- Skills: Got a knack for writing? Blog or sell e-books. Good with cameras? Try stock photos.
- Time: Got 10 hours a week? Dropshipping or blogging. Only 2? Dividend stocks or P2P lending.
- Budget: Low cash? Start with affiliate marketing ($0-$50). Got $1,000? Try stock photos or Airbnb.
- Passion: Pick something you won’t hate in 6 months.
Quick Checklist:
- Can you automate 80% of the work?
- Is there proven demand in Canada?
- Can you start small and scale?
- Does it fit your lifestyle?
Tax Stuff You Can’t Ignore
Passive doesn’t mean tax-free. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wants its cut.
- Track income: Use QuickBooks or a spreadsheet.
- Register for GST/HST: If you earn over $30,000/year.
- Deduct expenses: Hosting (like Truehost.ca), software, or equipment.
- Talk to an accountant: Save headaches come tax season.
Why Most People Fail (and How to Win)
Most side hustles die because people quit too soon.
Building passive income takes grit. Here’s how to stay in the game:
- Set a 12-month goal: Aim for $500/month, not $10,000 overnight.
- Automate early: Use tools like Hootsuite for social posts or Zapier for workflows.
- Learn from others: Join Reddit’s r/sidehustle or Canadian entrepreneur groups.
- Pivot fast: If a hustle isn’t working after 6 months, tweak or switch.
Mike from Calgary bombed his first blog on fitness.
He pivoted to camping gear reviews and hit $3,000/month in a year.
Persistence + adaptation = wins.
Final Thoughts
Passive income isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme.
It’s a long game that pays off if you stick with it.
Pick one hustle from this list.
Start this weekend.
Use Truehost.ca to launch anything online—blog, store, or course—for pennies.
In 12 months, you could be sipping coffee while money hits your account.
What’s stopping you?
Get after it.
Read also:
- 11 Best Side Hustle Apps in Canada: Legit Ways to Stack Cash + Pro Tips
- 11 Best Remote Side Hustles in Canada (Legit Ideas + Tips)
