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Through what Finance Minister Charles Sousa called “a comprehensive path to balance,” the 2015/16 deficit will drop $2.5 billion to $8.5 billion. As the government starts to prune costs in earnest, the shortfall will further shrink to $4.8 billion in 2016/17 and return to balance in 2018.

To do so, the government essentially freezes spending across the board and cuts expenditures in key areas, even as public-service unions, teachers and doctors push back against so-called austerity. But instead of using a scorched-earth approach, Sousa took a gentler tactic that critics say will burn all the same.

“We did not control spending by slashing and burning, as some would do. We did it by closely examining programs,” Sousa said.

The 2015 fiscal plan includes few new big spending plans — though it does offer new things for low-income residents, such as a $25 increase to Ontario Works — and is largely a continuation of last year’s document.

So, out with the warm and fuzzy election document, and in with the tough plan to balance Ontario’s books, while investing heavily in infrastructure and training to spur the economy.

But that was a budget written by a minority government, drafted either to win over the New Democrats and keep the government running, or disconcert them before a spring vote. The latter happened, and Wynne returned to office with a majority.

So, out with the warm and fuzzy election document, and in with the tough plan to balance Ontario’s books, while investing heavily in infrastructure and training to spur the economy.