[4] McMeans was elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1910 provincial election as a member of the provincial Conservative Party, defeating former Liberal Party leader Edward Brown[5] by 49 votes in the constituency of Winnipeg South.
The Conservatives won this election, and McMeans served as a backbench supporter of Rodmond Roblin's administration for the next four years.
He was defeated in the 1914 election, losing to Liberal candidate Albert B. Hudson[5] by 98 votes in Winnipeg South "A".
He attempted to return to the legislature in the 1915 election, but was resoundingly defeated by Liberal incumbent William Parrish in Winnipeg South "B".
[5] McMeans was appointed to the Senate of Canada by prime minister Robert Borden on July 26, 1917.