Ontario’s incoming Premier has put the public service under a hiring freeze as he re-examines the province’s books.

A spokesman for Doug Ford says the Progressive Conservative leader has also directed government ministries to cancel “subscription-based services” and to restrict out-of-province travel.

A source within the party says essential frontline staff, including those in policing and fire services, are exempt from the hiring freeze.

During the election campaign, Ford promised to launch an audit of government spending and to save billions each year by finding unspecified efficiencies, without cutting any jobs.