The real solution is to cut government and taxes, but it will be politically unpopular because over the years people has accepted the lie that gov can magically produce wealth when in fact gov produce nothing and is a drain to everyone's wealth and prosperity.
Safety net is another debatable term when in fact it does not deliver. The next generation is unlikely to get any meaningful gov. ponzi pension. Health insurance is just a way to "hide" actual price inflation in Medical costs.
If it is indeed insurance why can't people opt out and there is no competition. Gov produce nothing and there is no free lunch. The bigger the government the more economic waste. All these debt ran up by politicians will come crashing down and I hope those voted for more spending will one day realize what they have done. Ontarians are 22k each in the hole and this number is growing fast see http://www.debtclock.ca/provincial-debtclocks/ontario/ontario-s-debt/