The way the province’s financial watchdog sees it, the challenges facing the strained health-care system are ”expected to persist,” because of underspending and a shortage of workers.

In a just released special report the Financial Accountability Office found Ontario will be short roughly $21.3-billion in health spending by 2027/28.

As a result, the FAO says it’s ”unlikely” the government will reach its goals of adding enough beds and hiring enough staff to keep up with demand.

The report says the province is expected to be short 33,000 nurses and personal support workers in five years.

Staffing shortages that the FAO says have resulted in temporary ER closures and a large surgical backlog.

The report says the government could address the spending shortfall by increasing investments, using money from contingency funds or federal transfer money.

The projections do not take account the government appealing the court ruling that found wage capping law Bill 124 unconstitutional.

If the Conservatives lose, they’ll be on the hook for an additional $3.6-billion in wages.