Who we are
Founded in 1995, the Master Municipal Construction Document Association (MMCD) is a non-profit society committed to improving the quality, consistency, and fairness of municipal construction projects throughout British Columbia. Endorsed by the Province of B.C. and supported by municipalities, consulting engineers, and contractors, MMCD provides a unified set of documents used to build and maintain essential infrastructure from roads and sidewalks to sewers, water systems and street lighting.
Over 90 municipalities across B.C. now use MMCD as their standards, making it one of the most widely adopted contract formats in Canada.
What we do
We develop, maintain, and promote a standardized suite of documents that define clear roles, responsibilities, and procedures for all parties involved in municipal construction projects. Our work extends beyond documentation to include:
Publications
MMCD develops and publishes industry-leading contract documents and technical specifications
Courses and Certification Programs
Accredited training and certification programs for contract administrators, inspectors, referees, and foremen
Referee Services
Provide impartial dispute resolution tools and guidance, helping resolve conflicts efficiently and fairly to keep projects on track
Collaboration
Foster collaboration among cities, contractors, consultant engineers and stakeholders involved in municipal construction
Our roots
MMCD was initiated through the collaboration of key industry organizations:
Together, these stakeholders identified a need to eliminate inconsistent contract practices and streamline the tendering and administration process.
Our strengths
Consensus
Developed collaboratively by municipalities (owners), contractors, and consultants, ensuring that documents reflect a fair balance of interests, fostering trust and equitable risk allocation.
Transparency
Written in clear, plain English with a commitment to “say it once” and avoid surprises, MMCD documents are easy to read and understand.
Dispute Reduction and Risk Management
Standardized, objective contract terms and built-in dispute resolution mechanisms have resulted in remarkably low litigation. Over nearly two decades, there have been no owner–contractor disputes escalated to court under MMCD.
Our Philosophy
The MMCD framework is grounded in six guiding principles:
Be fair to all parties
Minimize contractor risk
Enable equitable dispute resolution
Provide transparent change management
Use plain, accessible English
Say it once -clearly and consistently
These principles are operationalized through three strategic commitments:
No surprises
Clarity and communication come first
The CA’s signature is “good as gold”
Ensuring contractor trust and administrative integrity
Incentives and accountability
Rewarding best practices and discouraging costly errors
How We Work
Our ongoing development and quality assurance is driven by dedicated industry experts that represent municipalities, engineering firms, construction companies and industry associations. MMCD committee members work collaboratively to:
Monitor emerging issues in municipal contracting
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Update documents and best practices
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Provide training and exam development
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Support users through guidance and resources
Membership & Community
As a member-supported organization, MMCD benefits from a broad network of municipalities, professionals, and industry partners. Our members play a vital role in shaping contract standards, sharing insights, and promoting excellence in infrastructure delivery.
Governance & Independence
MMCD operates as a non-profit society governed by a Board of Directors. We maintain strict neutrality in disputes and uphold our commitment to serving the public interest by supporting fair, transparent, and efficient municipal construction contract administration.
