MPP's head back to the Ontario legislature Tuesday with two issues expected to dominate debate, the budget and healthcare.
The government will set the stage for its first budget with a stated goal of slashing a $13.5-billion deficit.
Finance Minister Vic Fedeli has said the budget will show a path to balance, though he hasn't specified if the government will eliminate the deficit within its four-year mandate.
University of Windsor political science professor, Lydia Miljan expects all eyes will be on that plan.
"We're going to obviously be looking very closely at budget day, but also what are the cuts they're going to make," says Miljan. "Clearly they've signalled that they're most concerned with the deficit and the debt and that they're going to make cuts. We've already heard some areas where they're not funding as much as proponents would have liked."
She also expects people in Windsor should watch the budget closely for any funding for the new mega-hospital planned for County Rd. 42 and the 9th Concession.
University of Windsor Political Science Professor Dr. Lydia Miljan (image via UWindsor website)
Legislation is expected before the end of the month to create a health "super agency," moving local health integration networks, Cancer Care Ontario and eHealth Ontario under one umbrella.
"I don't think that people are completely enamoured with the way our healthcare system works currently," says Miljan. "Obviously there's lots of waiting lists, lots of problems. The question is will their changes make it worse or make it better?"
She believes the Ford government will drastically alter the way health care is administered.
"While I don't think they're going to label it as a two-tiered system, there's certainly going to be more private options, private companies that'll help facilitate that e-health component," says Miljan.
The government's consideration of removing class size caps for kindergarten and primary classes, as well as student assistance changes that favour loans over grants, are also expected to draw fire from the Opposition NDP.
The Canadian Federation of Students is also expected to hold a demonstration at the legislature Tuesday to protest recently announced cuts to student grants.