What's happening here is worse than anything the Harper government did to interfere with science.  Anyone who understands universities realizes that extraordinary efforts are always made to find qualified women applicants at every level. In some fields this is easier than others, but the pool of real stars among women, let alone minorities, is always limited and all universities are competing for the same people. Once a university is allotted a Canada Research Chair it feels obligated to fill it. After being turned down by a couple of top women scholars it goes for the best man available, who often isn't being courted by anyone.  So most of the appointments still go to men.  This will change of its own accord in most fields over the next generation.  Trying to rush it will heap contempt on the CRC program and too many of its female and minority incumbents.  Universities will be forced to hire people whom they could get for much less, as ordinary appointments. What stupidity!