Premier Doug Ford has signalled that improving health care, continuing Ontario’s jobs boom, and “balancing the budget in a responsible manner” will be his government’s top priorities this year.In a New Year’s letter to Ontario’s 68,000 public servants sent Monday, Ford thanked them for “providing consistent, high-quality, non-partisan professional advice” as the Progressive Conservatives took power last June after almost 15 years of Liberal rule.“Any time there is a change in government there are new demands placed on each of you to ensure a seamless transition and encourage effective policy making without disrupting any of the government’s core services,” the premier wrote in his missive signed “Doug.”“With your support, we have been moving forward at a lightning pace,” he continued, emphasizing the Tories “came into office with a clear blueprint” to cut taxes, “clean up Ontario’s hydro mess … and take steps to end hallway health care.”Ford told bureaucrats that “we have a lot of work ahead of us in 2019.”The premier said Health Minister Christine Elliott is working hard to protect the province’s medicare system.“Our government will continue to ensure necessary funding for world-class health care in Ontario, but this issue must be about more than money,” he said.“It will also be about embracing change and innovation, deploying technology more effectively, and committing to new models of collaboration and patient care.”While he did not mention the government’s fractious relationship with Ontario’s doctors, who also sparred over compensation with previous Liberal administrations, he praised “our incredible nurses, doctors and frontline health-care professionals.”As well, Ford, who campaigned on making the equivalent of $6 billion in budget cuts though he has promised “ ...
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