The Obligation Ceremony
The idea for an Obligation Ceremony for engineers in Canada dates back to 1922. Seven past presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada created an organization to unify engineers in Canada. They wanted to establish a statement of ethics for those entering the engineering profession, and so a formal ceremony and obligation, The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer was produced.
The Ritual is administered by The Corporation of the Seven Wardens in a private ceremony. During the ceremony, the Iron Ring is presented to graduating engineering students, and engineers with acceptable qualifications.
The ceremony and the ring are uniquely Canadian. Read more history about the Ritual and the Iron Ring on the Corporation of the Seven Wardens website.
The Iron Ring
The Iron Ring is worn by many engineers in Canada. It symbolizes pride in the engineering profession, and serves as a reminder of the engineer's obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct.
It’s worn on the little finger of the working hand of any engineer who has been obligated at an authorized ceremony, The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.
Originally made from hammered wrought iron, today rings are made from hammered stainless steel. Trade Mark law protects the Iron Ring, including the use of its picture.
The Iron Ring is not a symbol of qualification to engage in the practice of engineering. Qualification and registration to practice is determined by the provincial and territorial licensing bodies.
Camp 8
In order to administer and maintain The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc. creates Camps in locations across Canada.
The Manitoba branch is Camp 8. It is separate from, but works closely with, the Faculty of Engineering and Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba.
Camp 8 is organized and operated by volunteers, each of whom are obligated engineers.