In the early early days of Toronto if you were not a Mason or a member of the Orange Lodge you did not get work with the city. It generally worked this way. Orange Lodge member to being a Mason then if you had the necessary backing being invited to become a Shriner. It was a pure Wasp thing, no Catholics, blacks, Jews were invited in.
These days the Orange Lodge is a thing of the past. Years ago the Orange parade was one of the largest parades to take place in Toronto. There are still a few Orange Lodges still in operation in some smaller communities. The Mason's now have members from all races, religions. The Shriners do tremendous fundraising for burn hospitals all across North America.
Have met a few stoned masons!
