The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that first quarter featured six dividend hikes in John Heinzl's 12-stock model dividend portfolio. The Globe columnist says that each of BCE, Brookfield Infra, Canadian Utilities, Enbridge, TransCanada and RBC all increased their dividends in Q1. Dividend hikes are at the core of his investing strategy. However, Mr. Heinzl adds that to fully appreciate the power of dividend growth, however, you cannot just look at dividend increases in isolation. Instead, examine the cumulative effect of multiple dividend increases over many years. His Strategy Lab portfolio illustrates this principle. At inception, his model portfolio was generating annual income of $1,875 based on dividend rates at the time. Now, the portfolio is churning out $3,379 in cash annually -- an increase of about 80 per cent in less than five years. Dividend hikes alone did not increase his portfolio income by 80 per cent. He also regularly reinvested his dividends, which increases the number of shares he owns and further boosts his dividend income. Some investors like to use a dividend reinvestment plan, but Mr. Heinzl lets cash accumulate, then he buys whatever looks attractive.