The Calling of an Engineer has a history dating back to 1922, when seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada attended a meeting in Montreal with other engineers. One of the speakers was civil engineer Professor Haultain of the University of Toronto. He felt that a means was needed to bind all members of the engineering profession in Canada more closely together. He also felt that an obligation or statement of ethics to which a young graduate in engineering could subscribe should be developed.
Haultain proposed to the seven past presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada that the
profession should develop a means by which the young graduating engineer could commit to high ethical standards while developing a consciousness of the profession and its significance to society. It would also serve to remind senior engineers of their responsibility in welcoming and supporting those who followed in their footsteps. He believed this would help to create a kindred spirit among engineers.
Professor Haultain wrote Nobel Prize winning writer Rudyard Kipling on behalf of the Seven, asking for help. Kipling quickly responded with the Ceremony, the Obligation, and a description of the Iron Ring. The first ceremony was held in Montreal on April 25, 1925.
In 2022, the Corporation set out to review the Ceremony in light of the significant changes in candidate demographics and societal views since the 1920s. The Corporation recognized the limitations of the original Ceremony and updated it to ensure its relevance in today’s world. The result is a modernized version created for the Ceremony’s 100th Anniversary in 2025.
Lessons Learned from the Quebec Bridge Collapse
In the early 20th century, the engineering world was shaken by the tragic collapse of the Quebec Bridge. This catastrophic event, which occurred during its construction in 1907, resulted in the loss of 76 lives including those from surrounding communities, the
Kahnawake Mohawk community and the engineering community. The Quebec Bridge, intended to be one of the engineering marvels of its time, failed due to design flaws, inadequate oversight and human arrogance, highlighting the critical need for rigorous standards and ethical practices in engineering.
The Birth of a Vision
Amidst the aftermath of this disaster, a visionary Canadian mining engineer, inventor, and professor named Herbert Haultain emerged with a mission to prevent such tragedies in the future. Deeply moved by the loss and the lessons learned from the Quebec Bridge collapse, Haultain envisioned a future where engineers would uphold the highest standards of integrity, competence, and responsibility. He believed that the key to achieving this was through a formal commitment to ethical principles and professional conduct.
Initiating the Idea
On January 25, 1922, during the thirty-sixth annual meeting of the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC) in Montreal, Professor Haultain delivered a speech titled “The Romance of Engineering.” He lamented the lack of a unifying spirit among engineers.
Later that evening, at the EIC retiring president’s dinner, Haultain proposed the idea of creating a means by which the young graduating engineer could commit to high ethical standards while developing a consciousness of the profession and its significance to society. This proposal led to the formation of a committee of seven past-presidents of the EIC, chaired by John M.R. Fairbairn, to draft a ceremony.
The Kipling Connection
In October 1923, Haultain reached out to the renowned author Rudyard Kipling, seeking his help in crafting the ceremony. Kipling responded positively, providing the text of the Obligation, a description of the ceremony, and the design of the iron ring. Despite busy schedules, the committee reviewed Kipling’s contribution and made slight revisions, which Kipling approved in April 1925.
The Inaugural Ceremonies
The first ceremony took place on April 25, 1925, in Montreal, where six engineers took the Obligation. A week later, 107 new engineering graduates from the University of Toronto participated in a similar ceremony. These events marked the formation of the first two camps to administer the ceremony, with Toronto designated as Camp One and Montreal as Camp Two.
The iron ring, worn on the working hand, is a reminder of the Obligation. The original iron rings, made from iron that tarnished over time, were later replaced with stainless steel. However, the roughness of the rings remained, symbolizing the challenges and growth engineers would face in their careers. Kipling emphasized the importance of this roughness, likening it to the unrefined character of young engineers.
The Corporation’s Evolution
By 1938, four of the original Seven Wardens had passed away. To ensure the continuity of the ceremony, the Corporation of the Seven Wardens was incorporated under the Quebec Companies’ Act. The Corporation aimed to advance the engineering profession and regulate the use of the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer. In 1969, the Corporation received Letters Patent from the Federal Government, and in 1983, it was renamed
“The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc./Société des sept gardiens inc.”
The Calling of an Engineer remains uniquely Canadian. Over the years, the Corporation of the Seven Wardens established additional camps across Canada. Each camp is responsible for administering the Obligation Ceremony within its region, ensuring that the tradition is upheld nationwide. Today, there are twenty-eight camps administering the ceremony across the country. More than half a million engineers have taken the Obligation, upholding the ethical code and kindred spirit envisioned by Haultain and the seven past-presidents of the EIC.
Reflecting Modern Values
In early 2022, the Corporation of the Seven Wardens recognized the need to modernize
the ceremony to reflect contemporary values and address concerns about inclusivity
and relevance. A review committee was formed with the mandate “to make the
ceremony meaningful and inclusive for all candidates.” The committee solicited input
from newly obligated candidates, Camp volunteers, and other stakeholders to
understand the key issues.
The Case for Change
The review process highlighted the need for changes to the Ritual and the candidate experience. Stakeholder feedback indicated that the Ritual was not fully meeting its intended purpose for a significant proportion of participants. The committee considered various options, including continuing with a modified version, making further
refinements, and developing a completely modernized ceremony.
The Modernized Ceremony
In late 2024, the Corporation voted to accept a revised version of the Calling of an Engineer, known informally as the Obligation Ceremony. The new ceremony retains traditional elements, such as the Obligation and the presentation of iron rings, while
embedding them in a modernized narrative that emphasizes the origins and history of the ceremony, the values being promoted, and their relevance to modern engineering.
Contributors to the new Obligation Ceremony included a diverse group of Canadian voices, ensuring that the updated text reflects the inclusivity and diversity of contemporary society. Two new poems were commissioned to complement the ceremony, one in English and one in French.
An Enduring Tradition for 100 Years and Counting
The Obligation Ceremony has been nurtured for 100 years by thousands of volunteer engineers, promoting the ethical code and kindred spirit of the profession. John Fairbairn, who held the position of Chief Warden from 1925 until his death in 1954, exemplified this dedication. The Corporation of the Seven Wardens continues to honor this legacy, ensuring the tradition endures for future generations.