[3] Before his election, McLean was a financial professional for 20 years, working with oil & gas and technology start-ups amongst other industries.
[9] On September 9, 2020, then Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole named McLean the Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
After the 2021 election, McLean resumed his position as Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency in February 22, 2022 until October 11, 2022.
[12][13] During Question Period, he strongly advocates against reckless government spending and routinely expresses his support for Canadian energy self-sufficiency through the growth of Canada’s oil and gas sector.
[15] The bill, passed in both chambers in 2019, allowed federal regulators to assess the environmental and social impacts of various “resource and infrastructure projects.” Many politicians opposed the legislation, with some, such as Jason Kenny, stating it was essentially a “no more pipelines act.”[16] This bill, which was called unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2023 with a 5-2 majority, would have expanded the scope of the federal government's jurisdiction to cover any “designated project,” far surpassing their regulatory bounds.
[18] As an MP with a strong financial background, McLean has been an avid and vocal supporter of federal fiscal responsibility in both the 43rd and 44th parliaments.
He pointed to the 2024 Fall Economic Statement as evidence of reckless spending which showed an extra $21.9 Billion in federal debt.
[13] During the COVID-19 pandemic, he spoke about the efficacy of government programs and expenditures, particularly focusing on the Canada Student Service Grant and its sole-source contract to the WE charity (since terminated).
[22] McLean’s speeches regularly focused on the Canadian macroeconomy and the government's failure to encourage investment spending, which he has touted as a necessity to grow the economy and stay competitive globally.