Charles Sousa says his number one priority as finance minister will be tackling the province's deficit and thinking long-term.

He joined the Live Drive with John Tory on Newstalk 1010 Tuesday.

Sousa says the province has to be focused on eliminating the $11.9-billion deficit by 2017-18 while still being able to afford the things that matter.

"Like health care, education, and social programs. We still have to provide the services of government," Sousa says. "But we need, we need to take every step possible to stimulate that economic growth without taking measures too drastically that will hamper us."

Sousa says he is "for the most part" very eager and excited about the opportunity to work as finance minister.

Without giving a timeline for introducing his own budget, Sousa says it will come "in due course." He says he wants to consult with the public and opposition first.

"I want to make this a budget that everyone can live with," he says. "And I know that people out there, they're not keen on seeing an election. They're not keen on us having deliberations that will divide the province. They want us to collaborate."