The Canada Masonry Design Centre (CMDC) was established in 2003 (federally incorporated in 2004) as a not-for-profit Canadian association. The founding members of CMDC included the Ontario Masonry Contractors’ Association (OMCA), Masonry Contractors Association of Alberta-South (MCAA-South), Masonry Contractors Association of Alberta (North) (MCAA North) and the Saskatchewan Masonry Institute (SMI). Over the past 8 years, CMDC has grown in membership to include the Manitoba Masonry Contractors Association (MMCA), and the Masonry Contractors Association of British Columbia (MCA of BC).

The primary responsibility of the Canada Masonry Design Centre is to encourage the effective use of masonry through research, education and technical support. The Canada Masonry Design Centre is unique in its mandate by providing services to its contractor members in addition to supporting the external design community. CMDC is an association created and funded by its masonry contractor members in an effort to bridge the gap between the design community and the masonry construction industry.