Formed in 1951, the CMDA is closely affiliated with the Motor Dealers Association of Alberta (MDA), which has over 325 new-vehicle franchised dealerships across the province. Together, we are dedicated to strengthening our relationships with the consumer through:

Advertising Standards: CMDA members are required to abide by advertising standards covering such areas as product claims, disclosure of financing terms and conditions, and advertising.

Government affairs: The CMDA actively lobbies to provincial government to enact protective legislation for both its members and consumers. Two issues we are currently concentrating on are:

• Auto theft - revinned/stolen vehicles entering Alberta are being sold to dealers and individuals, thereby creating property losses and high insurance premiums, and a burden on enforcement agencies.
• Mandatory safety inspections to ensure only safe vehicles are on the road, which will reduce costly and tragic collisions.

Community involvement: In 1988 the CMDA donated a Handi-Bus to the Calgary Handi-Bus Association. Until it was retired, 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. Bus #195 has logged over 500,000 kms and has plenty of service life left in it yet! And a new CMDA-sponsored "big brother" to #159 hit the road in March of 2004. Designated #311, this larger bus will ensure even more Calgarians have access to Handi-Bus service.

• 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 $28,000 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 Award 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, Rotary Challenger Park, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Prostate Cancer Institute and Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta.
• The Vehicles and Violins Gala has provided funding for various charities in Calgary of more than $830,000 over the last six years.