The Family of Freemasonryin Canada

Masonic pathways

Canadian Masonic Pathway Explorer

Craft Masonry is the foundation. Everything after the Master Mason degree is an option, not a ladder — and each option has its own governing authority in Canada.

The Canadian degree structure

Everything begins in a Craft Lodge. Choose a branch below to follow it in sequence — tap any body to see its degrees in order, its Canadian governing authority and how to join. None of these is a promotion above the Craft.

Step 1 — the foundation

Craft Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons

  1. 1°Entered Apprentice
  2. 2°Fellow Craft
  3. 3°Master Mason

The provincial Craft Grand Lodge (in Ontario, the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario) or the recognized Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

The two great rites — both begin at the Craft Lodge
Other paths directly from the Craft Lodge
Orders that flow on from the rites
Craft Lodge → York Rite in Canada

York Rite in Canada

Flows directly from the Craft Lodge — Master Mason required.

Three separate sovereign bodies, each with its own Canadian governing authority. Membership in one does not automatically carry into the next.

Entered from

The Craft Lodge — Master Mason degree

Leads on to

The Craft pathway

  1. Not yet a Mason
  2. Contact a recognized Craft Lodge
  3. Application and local process
  4. Entered Apprentice
  5. Fellow Craft
  6. Master Mason

Select your goal

Craft Masonry — the foundation

Typical starting qualification
An adult of good character who meets the age and residency requirements of the Grand Lodge concerned.
Application or invitation
Application
Religious qualification
Canadian Craft jurisdictions generally require a belief in a Supreme Being. Sectarian religious discussion is excluded from the lodge.
Prior body required
None. Craft Masonry is the entry point.
Canadian governing authority
The provincial Craft Grand Lodge, or the recognized Prince Hall Grand Lodge for the jurisdiction.
Jurisdictional variation
Minimum age, residency, fees, proficiency requirements and the interval between degrees are set by each Grand Lodge and lodge.
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Province of Ontario and Jurisdiction — Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Province of Ontario and Jurisdiction (opens in a new tab)Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in Ontario — Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in Ontario (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Royal Arch Masonry

Typical starting qualification
Master Mason in good standing of a recognized lodge.
Application or invitation
Application
Religious qualification
As for Craft Masonry.
Prior body required
Craft Masonry (Master Mason).
Canadian governing authority
The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the jurisdiction.
Jurisdictional variation
Degree names, sequence and the relationship between Royal Arch and other York Rite bodies differ between Canada and other countries.
Official website — Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada in Ontario (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Cryptic Masonry — Royal and Select Masters

Typical starting qualification
Normally a Royal Arch Mason; requirements are set by the Grand Council concerned.
Application or invitation
Application
Religious qualification
As for Craft Masonry.
Prior body required
Usually Royal Arch Masonry. Confirm locally.
Canadian governing authority
The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters for the jurisdiction.
Jurisdictional variation
Cryptic Masonry is not universally required before Canadian Knights Templar membership. Super Excellent Master is conferred in some jurisdictions only.
Official website — Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Ontario (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Knights Templar — Preceptories

Typical starting qualification
Master Mason in good standing who professes the Christian faith, subject to the requirements of the governing Templar authority.
Application or invitation
Application
Religious qualification
A Christian profession is required.
Prior body required
Craft Masonry, plus whatever prior bodies the governing authority requires — this varies.
Canadian governing authority
The Sovereign Great Priory of Canada, through Provincial Priories and Preceptories.
Jurisdictional variation
Canadian bodies are Preceptories, not Commanderies. Do not apply American structures to Canadian Templary.
Official website — Sovereign Great Priory of Canada (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite

Typical starting qualification
Master Mason in good standing of a recognized lodge.
Application or invitation
Application
Religious qualification
As for Craft Masonry.
Prior body required
Craft Masonry (Master Mason).
Canadian governing authority
The Supreme Council for Canada, working through local Valleys, Lodges of Perfection, Chapters of Rose Croix and Consistories.
Jurisdictional variation
Degree presentation, Valley structure and honorary recognition differ from American jurisdictions.
Official website — Supreme Council 33° of Canada — Scottish Rite (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Shriners

Typical starting qualification
Master Mason in good standing, per current Shrine requirements.
Application or invitation
Application
Religious qualification
As for Craft Masonry.
Prior body required
Craft Masonry (Master Mason).
Canadian governing authority
Shriners International, through Canadian Shrine Temples and their clubs.
Jurisdictional variation
Temple territories cross provincial boundaries; contact the Temple serving your area.
Official website — Shriners of Canada (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

S.R.I.C. — Societas Rosicruciana in Canada

Typical starting qualification
Master Mason in good standing of a recognized lodge, and an invitation from a College.
Application or invitation
Invitation
Religious qualification
Admission requirements, including any profession of faith, must be confirmed with S.R.I.C.
Prior body required
Craft Masonry (Master Mason). Separate from the York and Scottish Rites.
Canadian governing authority
Societas Rosicruciana in Canada, organized into Colleges of Fratres.
Jurisdictional variation
Becoming a Master Mason does not guarantee admission. Colleges invite; they do not accept open applications.
Official website — Societas Rosicruciana in Canada (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Invitational and honorary bodies

Typical starting qualification
Membership or service in a specified prior body, plus an invitation.
Application or invitation
Invitation
Religious qualification
Varies by body.
Prior body required
Varies. Most require Craft membership and often a specific rite.
Canadian governing authority
Each order's own Grand or Supreme body.
Jurisdictional variation
Quotas, eligibility and Canadian presence differ by order and by province.
Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees — Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees (opens in a new tab)Royal Order of Scotland — Royal Order of Scotland (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Family, women's and youth organizations

Typical starting qualification
Depends on the organization: age range, family relationship or open membership.
Application or invitation
Application or invitation
Religious qualification
Varies by organization.
Prior body required
Some require a Masonic family relationship; others do not. Governance may be Masonic or independent.
Canadian governing authority
Each organization's own Grand or national body.
Jurisdictional variation
Canadian presence varies by province. Youth organizations operate youth-protection and screening policies.
Grand Chapter of Ontario, Order of the Eastern Star — Grand Chapter of Ontario, Order of the Eastern Star (opens in a new tab)DeMolay Canada — DeMolay Canada (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Research, libraries and education

Typical starting qualification
Research lodges normally admit Master Masons; libraries, museums and lecture programmes are frequently open to the public.
Application or invitation
Application or invitation
Religious qualification
Not applicable.
Prior body required
None for public collections and publications.
Canadian governing authority
The chartering Grand Lodge for research lodges; independent boards for libraries, museums and archives.
Jurisdictional variation
Access hours, reading-room rules and reproduction policies differ by institution.
Official website — The Heritage Lodge No. 730 (Ontario) (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.

Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association — riding and affinity membership

Typical starting qualification
Ordinarily a Master Mason in good standing of a recognized Craft Lodge who meets the motorcycle, licensing and insurance requirements of the relevant provincial organization or Chapter.
Application or invitation
Application
Religious qualification
As for Craft Masonry. The association confers no degrees.
Prior body required
Craft Masonry (Master Mason). The York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine and S.R.I.C. are not prerequisites.
Canadian governing authority
The provincial Widows Sons organization and the Chapter concerned. The association is not a Grand Lodge and does not determine Masonic recognition.
Jurisdictional variation
Membership categories, dues, patch protocols and motorcycle requirements vary by province and Chapter. Widows Sons Ontario states that it is non-brand-specific and that the motorcycle must be at least 500 cc; that rule applies to Ontario only.
Official website — Widows Sons Ontario (opens in a new tab)View jurisdiction details

Confirm with the governing body. Eligibility, sequence and terminology differ between Canadian jurisdictions, and no directory can promise admission.