The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Dec. 6, edition that disappointing dividend announcements are increasing, just five years after many Canadian companies reduced payouts during the early COVID-19 pandemic. The Globe's David Berman writes that this time, there is no bug to blame. Is anything safe? Telus is the latest to deliver disappointing news. Last week, Telus said it is pausing dividend hikes until its share price "reflects growth prospects" -- a nod to a dividend yield that had spiked above 9 per cent last month as the share price tanked. Telus announced a change to its twice-a-year dividend increases just two weeks after confirming its growth plans remained unchanged. Telus adds to a weak period for Canadian dividend payers, shaking investor confidence in these income-reliant stocks. Allied Properties REIT, an office property owner that has faced high vacancy rates and a big debt load, slashed its distribution by 60 per cent earlier this week. Northland Power, a former stock market darling for its renewable energy assets and attractive dividend, cut its distribution by 40 per cent in November. BCE, once the definition of a blue-chip dividend stock, slashed its distribution by 56 per cent in May.