B.C.'s expertise in knee and hip surgery has sparked interest from other provinces, at a politically sensitive time for the provincial government. (CBC)

The B.C. government is being accused of cutting surgeries while offering hip and knee operations to patients from Saskatchewan and other provinces.

B.C. NDP health critic Adrian Dix says thousands of elective surgeries have been cancelled because of spending restraints by the provincial government, and yet there are surgical openings for non-B.C. patients.

He accused the governing Liberals during question period of auctioning off surgery spots while B.C. patients languish on waiting lists.

"Why doesn't [the health minister] explain to British Columbians waiting for surgery across the province why he's selling off their care to the highest bidder?" Dix asked.

"What's the message to them? Move to Regina? Move to Moose Jaw?" asked NDP MLA John Horgan

Health Minister Kevin Falcon confirmed B.C. is negotiating to bring 400 patients to the province for surgery over the next two years. But Falcon scoffed at the accusation the Saskatchewan patients will displace British Columbians.

"If we do this properly, we would have the ability to charge a premium," Falcon said.

"So we cover not only our costs, but use the additional dollars to allow British Columbians to get through the system quicker, faster and better."