He represented Dennis in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1886 to 1892 as a Liberal.

After having health problems, he moved to Manitoba settling in the Pipestone Valley in the County of Dennis where he was a farmer.

[1] In 1892, McLean was named sheriff for the Central Judicial District in Portage la Prairie.

In 1895, he was named governor for the Central Judicial Jail, resigning from that post in 1907 due to poor health.

McLean died at home in Portage la Prairie the following year.