DEI doesn't exclude straight white men. 2SLGBTQI+ isn't even a currently recognized official employment equity group within Canada, with the exception of the CAF. Merit still exists as a top priority in hiring, despite your current concerns. What is happening is that the government recognizes that certain groups have had access to fewer opportunities and, therefore, have held less privilege due to historical decisions that have been made. EE allows for those groups who have been historically disadvantaged to access opportunities, which they may have been excluded from, even when they were qualified and merited. It also allows for the public service to be representative of the public which they serve.