Applied for PhD, Offered MASc Civil Engineering

[engineercinc]

I applied to a PhD program in Civil Engineering at a school in Ontario, but was offered an funded MASc instead. I will already have my MASc from an international school. The professor in Ontario said I would do my MASc for a year and then I could easily switch to a PhD program and the time spent during that year would be applied to a PhD. The professor also said the funding is the same for PhD as it is for MASc. I don't understand why they don't just accept me to the PhD program. I have some ideas but would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks.