Jason MacLean, NSGEU vice-president will not face assault charges

Halifax Regional Police have decided not to lay charges against NSGEU vice-president Jason MacLean.

The 40-year-old from Enfield was arrested during Tuesday's protest by health-care workers in front of Province House and was facing a charge of assaulting a police officer.

Investigators reviewed video footage of the protest and spoke with witnesses before meeting with a Crown attorney.

Police said after a full look at the incident, it was determined there was insufficient evidence to support laying a charge of assaulting a police officer.

Shortly after the arrest, Halifax Regional Police spokesman Const. Pierre Bourdages said officers who were on Hollis Street to monitor the protest at Province House were trying to help a car that was being blocked by protesters.

Bourdages said one of the officers thought he saw an assault on another officer and made the arrest.

Halifax Police said they tried to reach MacLean Thursday afternoon, but he was unable to meet with officers.

In a release, officials said they would have liked to have met with MacLean in person to discuss the matter.

HRP then publicly apologized to him for the situation.