The results of the May 2 federal election gives the Harper Conservatives a majority for the first time. It signals little change in national prospects for heritage conservation in Canada. Since taking power five years ago, the Conservatives have shown no serious interest in the heritage file, cut off funding for the Historic Places Initiative, and launched no new initiatives of their own.

The federal budget three years ago included seed money for a new National Trust, but that project never got off the ground. The latest budget, in February, made no reference to it.

The election results will be seen as a confirmation of Conservative policy priorities to date, and give them a free hand to push ahead with their agenda. In the past five years there has been nothing to suggest that heritage conservation will be receiving attention any time soon.