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The Calgary Motor Dealers Association (CMDA) is a
non-profit organization representing 66 members. Formed in
1951, the CMDA is closely affiliated with the Motor Dealers
Association of Alberta (MDA), which has over 300 new-vehicle
franchised dealerships across the province. Together, we are
dedicated to strengthening our relationships with the con-sumer
through:
Advertising code of ethics: CMDA members are required
to abide by an advertising code of ethics covering such areas as
product claims, disclosure of financing terms and conditions,
and advertising.
Government affairs: The MDA actively lobbies the provin-cial
government to enact protective legislation for both its
members and consumers. Two issues we are currently concen-trating
on are:
Auto theft - revinned/stolen vehicles entering Alberta are
being sold to dealers and individuals, thereby creating prop-erty
losses and high insurance premiums, as well as a burden
on the enforcement agencies.
Mandatory safety inspections to ensure only safe vehicles
are on the road, which will reduce costly and tragic accidents.
Community involvement: In 1988 the CMDA donated a
Handi-Bus to the Calgary Handi-Bus Association. Until it was re-tired,
the bus logged 611,119 kilometres of service, providing more
than 66,000 passenger trips. The CMDA is proud to provide a "full
bus sponsorship" for one of the mini-bus units that were activated
in March 1995. This vehicle had logged over 394,000 km as of
July 31, 2002, representing in excess of 31,000 passenger trips.
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Each December since 1991, CMDA members have joined in
the Calgary Inter-Faith Society’s annual Mayor’s Christmas
Food Bank Drive by collecting donations at their dealerships.
In 1994 the CMDA established the Calgary Motor Dealers
Association Memorial Scholarship to be awarded annually to
worthy students attending post-secondary institutions who
are seeking a career in the automobile industry. These scholarships
are awarded in recognition of past members of the
CMDA for their contribution to the industry.
The CMDA has donated over $25,000 to the PARTY (Prevent
Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth) Calgary Program,
designed to inform teenagers about the tragic consequences of
drinking and driving, non-compliance to seatbelt legislation
and dangerous behavior.
In 1998 the CMDA established an annual Entrance Scholarship
Endowment Awards for students entering the automotive
management training program of full-time technology or apprenticeship
training program offered by the transportation
department at SAIT.
The CMDA has provided financial support to Discovery
House (Udderly Art Auction), Calgary Drop In Centre, Hull
Child and Family Services, Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation,
Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, Foothills Hospital
Development Council, Calgary Emergency Women’s
Shelter, Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society, STARS
Foundation and Rotary Challenger Park
The Vehicles & Violins Gala has provided funding for various
charities in Calgary in excess of $339,000 over the past
three years.
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