I know nothing but ask if you'd consider parging in the fiture? if yes, do it now before the block is contaminated.

I don't mind how it looks and it coordinates with the non-brick part of your home color-wise. I'd save my $ and wait until you can do the stone. Can stone be installed on top of the parging with no problems? What will you do on the top of the concrete blocks?

@olychick parging would make it easier for stone work?

my contractor offering parging at no cost as part of their job

i dont mind block the way it looks

parging would look nicer? more finished look than block?

I would have them parge it. Who knows things come up in life and priorities change, if you can’t get to the stone work at least it will look finished.

Yeah just do it. (And I like the block too...)

Just leave the block exposed. You don't want us commentariat coming after you again for trying to put thin brick on it ;)

You will have a stair, I assume wood at this point, so that will play in your finish, and I'm guessing would negate any future stonework because of the skinny width (I'm guessing 42" wide between CMUs). It looks like a door was added to the basement, so hopefully a deeper footing at the door was under-dug for your Canada frost line and drainage was put in for this.