Total return = price appreciation + dividends. Dividend ETFs tilt toward companies that pay a meaningful dividend; growth ETFs tilt toward companies reinvesting earnings.
In Canada, eligible dividends receive the dividend tax credit in a non-registered account — meaningful for high-bracket investors. Foreign dividends do not.
Dividend ETFs tend to be sector-concentrated: banks, utilities, telecoms, pipelines. Growth ETFs skew toward tech and consumer.
Over very long horizons, total-market ETFs usually outperform narrow dividend screens. Over shorter horizons either can lead.
The right split depends on account type (TFSA/RRSP vs non-registered), age, and whether you need cash flow now versus accumulation.