Sue Heddle Honoured with the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2026
Ottawa, ON April 14 — 2026 Sue Heddle of Oakville, Ontario, a REALTOR® with Century 21 Millier Real Estate Ltd., has been selected as the recipient of the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2026 Proudly Presented by REALTOR.ca. Now in its 11th year, this annual award celebrates and recognizes REALTORS® who have made an outstanding impact in communities across Canada.
This year, 48 inspiring REALTORS® were nominated for the award. Heddle was selected for her inspiring efforts to advance reconciliation by expanding the horizons of Canadian youth.
Heddle launched Hockey Cares in 2017, which has since brought together hundreds of youth aged 13 to 15 from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities for cultural exchanges where participants learn from each other and connect through their love of hockey. Youth from Oakville, Attawapiskat, Constance Lake First Nation, and, most recently, St. Catharines, Ontario and Kugaaruk, Nunavut, have all participated.
“I knew that everyone had hockey arenas, and I knew that we could use hockey as a common language to bring youth together,” explained Heddle.
Nearly a decade after founding Hockey Cares, Heddle’s passion and purpose are as strong as ever. Her aim is to one day expand the program nationally, so more communities across Canada can connect, learn, and contribute to reconciliation efforts.
“All these kids I feel are my kids,” said Heddle. “So, when I hear that they are thriving, that they're doing well, that they had a goal and they've achieved that goal, it makes me very proud.”
A long-time volunteer, Heddle shifted her focus onto reconciliation efforts as she learned more about the disparities faced by many Northern Indigenous communities. Already compelled to act, she was further inspired to continue on this path by The Tragically Hip’s late frontman, Gord Downie, whose 2016 call for Canadians to do something about reconciliation deeply resonated with her.
Hockey Cares exchanges are delivered through a hockey camp designed to go far beyond the game itself. These exchanges begin with Indigenous youth travelling to southern Ontario, followed by a return visit to the northern partner community months later. Outside the rink, youth are immersed in shared experiences, from excursions to meals and cultural events.
“It definitely changed what I want to do,” said former participant Charlotte Bolduc. “I now want
to work above the 50th parallel in helping improve health outcomes for Northern communities.”
To bring these unforgettable experiences to life, Heddle has forged partnerships with True North Aid and Experiences Canada, and works alongside a volunteer committee that shares her passion for reconciliation and the next generation.
“That reputation she’s built as a REALTOR® has really helped Hockey Cares,” explained Lisa Mazzocato, Director of Operations at True North Aid. “Now she’s able to go back to those relationships she’s built, explain what this program is, and get them on board.”
Heddle was announced as the recipient of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2026 at CREA’s Annual General Meeting, which took place on April 14, 2026. In Sue Heddle’s honour, CREA has donated $10,000 to her charity of choice, True North Aid.
To find out more about the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2026 nominees, click here.
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About the Canadian Real Estate Association
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is one of Canada’s largest single-industry associations. CREA works on behalf of more than 155,000 REALTORS® who contribute to the economic and social well-being of communities across Canada. Together they advocate for property owners, buyers, and sellers.
For more information, please contact:
Pierre Leduc, Media Relations
The Canadian Real Estate Association
Tel.: 613-237-7111 or 613-884-1460
E-mail: pleduc@crea.ca