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 workers from surrounding communities and the Kahnawake Mohawk community near Montreal. 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. Haultain became deeply involved with the movement to regulate the practice of engineering, but he wanted more for engineers. He envisioned a ceremony where engineers would commit to upholding the highest standards of ethics, competence, and responsibility. He believed that this would help to create a kindred spirit among engineers.
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, chief engineer of the Canadian Pacific Railway, to draft a ceremony.
The Kipling Connection
In October 1923, Haultain reached out to the renowned author and Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling, seeking his help in crafting the ceremony. Kipling responded positively, providing the texts of the Obligation and the ceremony, and a description of the iron ring and how it was to be worn. 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 Importance of the Obligation
The Obligation is a solemn promise made by engineers to uphold integrity, competence, and accountability in their work, ensuring that their actions contribute positively to the world around them. It serves as a constant reminder of their responsibilities to society, their colleagues, and the engineering profession.
The Iron Ring and Its Symbolism
The iron ring, worn on the little finger of 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, as seen in the facets on the exterior, 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.”
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. The modernized ceremony is being implemented in 2025, marking the 100th anniversary of the inaugural ceremony.
A Uniquely Canadian Tradition
The ceremony of 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 28 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.
An Enduring Tradition
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 honour this proud legacy, ensuring the tradition endures for future generations.
The Calling of an Engineer traces its history back to 1907 following the aftermath of the tragic collapse of the Quebec bridge. Key events in our history are highlighted in the below timeline.