An announcement of a new hospital for the Niagara region is fueling speculation that Premier Kathleen Wynne is about to call two byelections.

Sources say Wynne wants the seats of Niagara Falls and Thornhill filled before the legislature resumes sitting February 18th.

Byelections are usually called on a Wednesday. The actual vote follows four weeks plus one day later. So Wynne would have to call the votes by tomorrow in order to hold the byelections on February 13th.

Opposition parties are calling the announcement of the Niagara hospital crass vote-buying. They point to the Wynne government’s decision to back the Scarborough subway during last summer’s byelection in Scarborough-Guildwood.

But Health Minister Deb Matthews rejects the accusation. She says the Niagara hospital project has been in the works for more than a year.

Regardless of the byelections, the minority status of the Liberal government won’t change.