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By Mark Kennedy

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper must join Canada’s premiers at the negotiating table to discuss medicare reforms or the country’s public health-care system will grow weaker, medical privatization will spread and national unity will be imperilled, says Roy Romanow.

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The former Saskatchewan premier, who led a royal commission on health care a decade ago, made the comments in an exclusive interview with Postmedia News.

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Romanow said he is worried the Harper government has adopted a deliberate strategy to leave health care to the provinces — possibly to foster the development of more private, for-profit medical companies.

His concerns come as premiers are poised to meet in Victoria next week for a special health-care summit, and as Harper maintains his distance over direct involvement in the first ministers’ talks.

“The prime minister has to roll up his sleeves, he’s got to get in there, he’s got to articulate the values of the country — which I believe are as strong, if not stronger, than when I was around as a royal commissioner,” said Romanow.