The PEGG

April, 2000

Iron Ring’s 75th Anniversary
Marked With Commemorative
Postage Stamp

As of April 25, Canadians sending and receiving mail may become more aware of a unique Canadian tradition, the iron ring worn with pride by thousands of Canadian engineers.

A 46-cent commemorative postage stamp being issued by Canada Post will mark the 75th anniversary of the "Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer", first held April 25, 1925, and now conducted by The Corporation of Seven Wardens represented by 24 camps located across Canada.

The ring, worn on the little finger of the working hand, traditionally is bestowed on those who have completed their undergraduate engineering program. Wearing the iron ring does not reflect on the technical qualifications of engineers, only on the commitment to ethical standards.

Participation in the voluntary ceremony and receipt of the iron ring marks the completion of one stage toward the full registration as a professional engineer in Canada. The latter process also requires completion of the prescribed period as an engineer-in-training and passing the Professional Practice Exam.

Intended to link more closely the members of the engineering profession in Canada, the ceremony and the iron ring can be traced back to the efforts of Professor Herbert Haultain of University of Toronto. With the help of British author Rudyard Kipling, he developed the ritual for graduating engineering students.

In an article on the iron ring prepared in connection with its 70th anniversary, former APEGGA President John R. McDougall, P.Eng., noted: "The ring represents an engineer's personal obligation to work for the betterment of society."

Efforts to have the special stamp issued have been spearheaded by a committee of the Corporation of Seven Wardens, Camp 1, in Toronto.

For more information about commemorative stamps, check the Canada Post website www.canadapost.ca, or to order by phone (506) 263-8505 or e-mail jesc@ng.net.nb.ca