[1] Along with Tony Lupusella and Odoardo Di Santo, McClellan helped to increase the NDP's popularity in the Italian areas of the city.
McClellan did not want the NDP to form a coalition government with the Liberals, on the grounds that the Party would be totally opposed.
McClellan was instead appointed chief negotiator for talks with both the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives, in which the NDP agreed to provide support to another party without actually joining government.
These talks led to a two-year accord with the Liberal Party, which promised to introduce progressive reforms in return for NDP support in the legislature.
The Bellwoods constituency was eliminated, and McClellan was forced to contest the NDP nomination in Dovercourt against Tony Lupusella.
In 2002, on his last day at the OFL, he played a leading role in resolving a strike involving Toronto municipal workers.