TORONTO

Premier Kathleen Wynne won’t give a “firm” deadline for bringing down auto insurance rates by 15%.

“We have said that if the budget passes that we will implement a 15% reduction and that we will do it as quickly as possible,” Wynne said Thursday. “It would be an average reduction across the province.”

New Democrat MPP Jagmeet Singh said the rate cut is possible within a year, and it’s a “serious concern” that the Liberals aren’t prepared to commit to that implementation deadline.

“If they’re not going to include a timeline, it’s the same thing as saying we’re not going to do it,” Singh said.

Wynne said she’s concerned that moving too quickly to reduce rates could compromise some drivers’ ability to secure insurance.

The auto insurance rate reduction is a key NDP demand as the party considers whether to back Wynne’s spring budget.

While the minority Wynne government has been keen to include NDP requests — including home care and youth employment programs — Leader Andrea Horwath has demanded more time to consult with the public.

She has proposed a financial accountability office and is expected to add to her list Friday morning at a scheduled media conference.

Wynne said her budget is ready to go as is.

“There was a lot of work done in the lead up to the budget,” she said. “I believe that the budget as it is written now reflects the concerns of the people of the province.”