Atlantic Masonry Institute

Commissioned by AMI; written by the Canada Masonry Design Centre (CMDC) and funded by the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association (CCMPA); structural design by Valron Engineers Inc. and construction estimates by Acadian Construction

Lead writers Andrew H. Smith (M.A.Sc., E.I.T.) and Bennett R. Banting (Ph.D., P.Eng.). Headline findings: a completed loadbearing masonry multi-residential building carries only a 4-8% premium vs wood frame and comes in ~11% less than cast-in-place concrete; with underground parking it can be erected and enclosed in 28 weeks (50% faster than wood frame, 64% faster than cast-in-place concrete). Copyright 2020 per the published PDF.

Founding / operating organization (program began as an AMI pilot in 2019 and expanded inter-provincially)

In 2019 AMI expanded its purpose to include workforce development; a pilot at Hants East High School introducing students to masonry grew into an inter-provincial masonry education program. Described as ongoing/growing on the AMI About page; no single completion date (treated as in_progress).

Sponsor (course delivered by CMDC, sponsored by AMI; AMI sponsorship subsidized tuition by $500)

First time the EMDC was offered in Atlantic Canada. Four in-person Saturday sessions: Jan 25, Feb 8, Mar 1, Mar 22, 2025 (8:30am-3:00pm), plus virtual components and a hands-on bricklaying practical. Tuition $1,250 after a $500 AMI sponsorship subsidy (from $1,750). Dated sessions are in the past, so marked completed.