Stevenage had failed to beat Canvey in any of their recent encounters but the visitors were unable to keep up that record with a dismal display.
After an opening 15 minutes in which there was little of note, it was Stevenage that struck first with a surprise opener. Dino Maamria found the back of the net on 16 minutes when he stooped to head the ball lazily past keeper Richard McKinney after a hopeful ball in to the danger area from Michael Warner.
Boosted by the goal Stevenage had further chances when Eric Obinna Chukwunyelu and Darryn Stamp combined to produce an effort which Stamp narrowly fired wide. Stamp then went close with a header from a dangerous free-kick which just missed the target.
Canvey did warm up as the half drew to a close and created three good chances in the final five minutes of the period. Ben Sedgemore drove one effort narrowly wide after shooting across the face of goal and also saw a looping header go past the post while Kezie Ibe found himself free on goal but was denied by a fine block from Alan Julian.
The second half was one of total domination by the home team and they sealed the points when Jefferson Louis headed into the top left-hand corner on 54 minutes after a pin-point cross from the right by Chukwunyelu.
Louis continued to cause problems for Canvey and had two further chances to stretch the lead as Stevenage held the visitors comfortably at bay.
The home side clinched victory in style with a spectacular third two minutes from time and it was a solo effort from George Boyd who took the ball past Stuart Bimson with ease before drilling in across the face of goal.