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Justin Trudeau portrayed the Liberal party Wednesday as the pragmatic alternative to Conservative and NDP opponents he said occupy the “fringes” of Canadian politics.

The MP widely expected to capture the Liberal leadership next month was short on policy details during a business-club appearance in downtown Toronto.

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He tried, however, to etch out a clear role for the party in the wake of the 2011 election, which gave the Harper Conservatives their first majority, elevated the surging New Democrats to official-opposition status — and decimated the Liberals.

He depicted himself as a positive, non-ideological choice at a time when he said most Canadians are fed up with partisan warring and “polarizing” issues.

Many Liberals are worried that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives will launch a negative ad campaign against whoever captures the party’s leadership, Mr. Trudeau told the Empire Club luncheon. He said such tactics are often effective but ultimately alienate voters, and promised to “go positive” if he wins the job.