Its not just because of Fernandez words though. While Rizzuto backed him at least, Fernandez was able to sit with bosses in Bagheria, Sicily. Also if we're judging by history, Montreal has always allowed its non-Italian "associates" to get farther than most other families would. For example, Joseph Petrula. Old Cotroni, Montreal Mob guy from like the 50's. He and Luigi Greco were sent by Carmine Galante himself to meet with Lucky Luciano himself, in Italy. Petrula was 100% Ukranian. He ended up being killed after RCMP conducted a raid on his apartment and a ledger book was found which showed how much money the Montreal decina had spent to discredit an opposing politician and disrupt voting during elections. The guy disappeared after Galante and others felt he'd crack and begin to talk. Rumor has it Luigi Greco put his body through a meat grinder in one of his Pizzeria's.