TORONTO — The Opposition is accusing the Ontario government of buying elections by cutting health-care services in some areas while propping up others.

The Conservatives say the Liberal government ordered $15 million in funding cuts that led to the closure of two emergency departments in the Niagara area, then handed the same amount to a downtown Toronto hospital in order to win a Feb. 4 byelection.

The Tories have linked the ER closures to the death of local teen Reilly Anzovino in December and point out that even a local Liberal has raised concerns about the cuts.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says the ERs in Fort Erie and Port Colborne weren't closed for financial reasons, but because patients weren't getting the care they needed.

With byelections coming up March 4 in two eastern Ontario ridings, the parties seem to be squaring off on health care as a key issue in the campaigns.

The threatened closure of the Toronto Grace hospital became a political hot potato during the Feb. 4 byelection that saw ex-Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray hold on to the Toronto Centre seat for the Liberals.