Interesting point, I had never heard that the Iron Ring should be returned on retirement, most of the engineers I know keep them, and usually are buried with them.
I know that the Ring is independent of, and not related to, the professional societies, but the societies in each province can/will put you in touch with the local Camp when/if need be, ie, for replacement rings, etc.
If you don't want the mafia in your town, there should be a public outcry first, then city people band together in thousands and kick them out of the city and if the mafia does not want to go, tar and feather the members. Nothing short of the unity of the city resident will do.
I am from Quebec and trust me, we do not want the mafia chiopee. The problem is: it's everywhere. This thread focuses on construction, but there has been a recent news coverage saying it in the healthcare system and this morning, I read that this anti-corruption commission is now investigating Universities.
The political parties are financed by the mafia. The engineering firms understand they have to be close friends with the mafia. If you don't listen to their ''command'', like one person mentionned, they will come to you and threaten you.
Perhaps you guys have heard of the student protests that occured last spring. You should know that some of those protests were directly trying to fight this corruption (in this case found in the government). Many people have tried their best to get rid of this, but guess what?? The police is also corrupted.
Anyways, this might just sound like a rant, but there is not much we can do, because everyone with a bit of power, money or authority in this city has an indirect link with the mafia. Sucks to say really.
