The more things change…

Premier Dalton McGuinty said on Wednesday that the public sector has a “duty” to help eliminate Ontario’s deficit.

Unpaid time off for civil servants harkens back to the “Rae Days” of the early 90s, when then-premier Bob Rae proposed a similar plan.

McGuinty made his comments to the Ontario Economic Summit in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

However, he did not say directly that he would introduce “Dalton Days.” Instead, the premier said that his office would speak with the public sector about their role in balancing the budget.

Any strategy would likely remain under wraps until the budget is unveiled in March.

The deficit for 2009-2010 is now $24.7 billion, far above the predicted $14.1 billion shortfall. Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will be starting his pre-budget consultations shortly.

With files from The Canadian Press.