Let them know you want to open a self directed TFSA through TD Waterhouse discount brokerage. That allows you to trade for a minimum cost, $7-$10 per buy/sell transaction. You can buy stocks, mutual funds, bonds, gic's.. whatever you want to invest in.
As for recommendations.. well.. everyone can tell you to invest in something, it's impossible to do so with absolute confidence at any time.
What you should keep in mind is the current economy is in turmoil at best. Europe could still be on the brink of default and bankruptcy. The Asian markets show strong growth, but little returns. The North American markets have companies making decent money, but, it's not showing in the equity markets. The coming US election also is a wildcard with regards to the markets.
I work in the industry, and have recently been scaling back my own equity portfolio and buying more into bond funds. TD has one of the best bond money managers in the industry, Satish Rai. He manages a few funds, among them his TD Canadian Bond fund, (TDB306) and TD Real Return Bond Fund (TDB755) both are Front End load, meaning they have no deferred sales charges and are essentially liquid if you want to sell. Both of these funds pay a monthly dividend, which you can re-invest or have paid out as cash. TD Canadian Bond fund last year was up almost 9%, and the Real Return Bond fund was up over 18%.
If you are looking for equity dividends.. I'll defer to a blog who has done a lot of research:
http://www.thedividendguyblog.com/
If you scroll down below his first few charts, you'll find a link for his suggestions of "Best Canadian Dividend Stocks for 2012". He's included some technical data with his suggestions.
You're going to read a lot about 'blue chip' companies that you will probably recognize as being around forever. They pay out Dividends to keep their shareholders happy. Companies like banks, who are frowned upon when they report billion dollar earning years. Companies that are socially undesirable like Oil companies, and Fast Food chains. You'll find the big 5 banks among the top dividend paying companies, McDonalds, Exxon, Suncor, Johnson & Johnson and GE, telcom's like Telus and Bell, communication giants Shaw and Rogers..
What you won't find in the dividend market are growth companies, who may offer a better investment strategy in a growth market like is expected next year. Tim Horton's, Lululemon, and Dollarama. Companies that are considered growth don't pay dividends because they retain their earnings to re-invest. New Products, new locatons, new ventures. Growth.
If you're keeping your investing lowscale - under $20k since you're talking TFSA, you might want to pick a few SOLID stocks, and avoid mutual funds with their Management Expense Ratio's. Which do cut into your profits, but are typically earned due to their active management.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/preet-banerjee/would-you-give-up-44-per-cent-of-your-investment-over-25-years/article2280899/
If you do choose to manage individual equities yourself, I would recommend choosing 2-3 top dividend picks, and 1 or 2 quality growth stocks. Split your cash equally and watch the difference in growth.
Remember, with ANY investments, they are meant to be long term and reacting to short term volatility will seriously hurt your returns. "Buy low, sell high" is your friend.