The government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford presented Thursday's budget forecasting a regional surplus of $200 million by 2024-25.

The government also presented a budget predicting regional surpluses after one year, with massive investments in healthcare. Here are the highlights:

The path to balance:

Ontario expects a $1.3 billion deficit starting from the fiscal year beginning next month, before recording a small surplus of $200 million in 2024-25. The next fiscal year is expected to have a surplus of $4.4 billion.

In the same context, financial officials said the path is partly due to increased revenues based on higher than expected inflation levels and economic recovery.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy also said the plan shows it is possible to balance the budget while continuing to invest in key areas such as healthcare and housing.

This year's budget continues its massive investments in infrastructure plans, with more than $20 billion in highway, hospital, and transit projects, including enhancements for home care and the healthcare workforce.

Developing the healthcare workforce:

The government addresses the shortage of healthcare workers by investing $200 million in support for workforce development.

Funds will also be allocated to provide up to 6,000 training opportunities for healthcare students and support up to 3,150 internationally educated nurses to become certified in Ontario.

The province is also investing a total of $80 million over three years to expand nursing education in universities and colleges, a step it says will add 8,000 additional nurses by 2028.

The province is also adding 100 medical school sites and 154 points for medical school graduates to train as residents.

Additionally, the budget includes $22 million to hire up to 200 hospital trainers, who supervise learners, $15 million to retain 100 mid-to-late career nurses in the workforce, and $4.3 million to license at least 50 internationally trained doctors in Ontario.

Millions for mental health and homelessness:

To address more than a million Ontario residents who face mental health or addiction challenges each year, the government is injecting an additional $425 million into mental health services over three years.

The investments will provide a 5 percent increase in baseline funding for community mental health and addiction services, such as support for youth with eating disorders.

Meanwhile, New Ontario unveiled a $204 billion budget, and the province will also allocate an additional $202 million each year for homelessness prevention and supportive housing programs, as people experiencing homelessness are connected to services such as job training in addition to providing a roof over their heads.

The government also plans to accelerate the $1 billion commitment made over three years for home care.