Premier Dalton McGuinty is sending a strong message to the province's doctors that they won't get a pay increase.

He says the minority Liberals have made it clear that they'll "hold the line" on pay increases for doctors.

McGuinty says physicians will understand because the Liberals have worked well with them in the past.

He says his government has to make some hard choices about where to put the next few health-care dollars.

The premier says if he gives it to doctors, that won't improve care.

Economist Don Drummond recommended that doctors' wages be frozen in a report about what steps the government must take to balance the books.