Private career college operators warn the province’s OSAP funding freeze is threatening their survival, leaving thousands of students in limbo and putting Ontario’s pipeline of health-care workers at risk.

"This endorsement from Lyn means a lot to me," Fairclough said. "I feel quite honoured that I've got now four previous leaders of the party and, of course, a previous premier that has the confidence that I will be able to lead our party and lead us into a better future in Ontario."

As the province expands jail capacity and presses Ottawa for tougher laws, experts question whether the government's approach will make communities safer, or deepen an already strained justice system.