Premier Dalton McGuinty has already let the air out of a proposal that Ontario offer drivers incentives to swap their vehicles' tires in the wintertime.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday, McGuinty made it clear he understands the benefits of winter rubber, but he's not interested in forcing Ontarians to switch.

"Some folks want us to mandate the use of snow tires, I think we are one of nine provinces that do not do that," he said, indicating his government is not about to change its policy.

"I would urge Ontarians to seriously consider the fact that we get a lot of snow, we get a lot of ice. This is Canada, and the bottom line is that snow tires improve safety," he added.

But in a conversation with CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss, the premier said he's not prepared to offer drivers considering a winter tire purchase cash or rebates either.

"Mcguinty told me, 'No, he is not considering a tax rebate or credit'," Bliss reported from Queen's Park.

The premier's comments come after a coalition of safety, health and industry groups headed to Queen's Park to ask the province to offer something to encourage drivers to opt for winter tires on their vehicles.

Compared to all-season tires, specifically-designed winter tires not only have different tread patterns, they are made of a special rubber formulated to remain flexible when temperatures plunge below -10C.

Winter tires are typically credited with reducing stopping distances on ice- or snow-covered roads by as much as 25 per cent.

The added security comes at a cost, of course, usually in the range of $1,000 -- depending on size and style -- for a set of four tires and rims that drivers can expect to use for at least four winter driving seasons.

Snow tires have been mandatory in Quebec since 2008, but the Winter Driving Safety Coalition is not asking the Ontario government to follow suit. Instead, the group is seeking incentives that would entice otherwise hesitant drivers to make the switch.

"The provincial government has the opportunity to further ontario's reputation for safe roads by offering tax incentives such as credits or rebates for Ontario drivers that properly equip their vehicles for winter. Or, by supporting this coalition's call for greater insurance rebates for Ontario's drivers," CAA spokesperson Faye Lyons told reporters at a news conference Wednesday morning.

The coalition is comprised of the CAA, the Ontario Safety League, the Ontario Hospital Association, the Ontario Trucking Association, Canadian Tire and the Rubber Association of Canada.