Municipal politics
McDonald was Conception Bay South's councillor for Ward 3 from 1993 to 1996 and from 2009 to 2013. [5] McDonald unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2005 against Woodrow French, coming second out of four candidates. [2] [6] On September 24, 2013, McDonald defeated French 3273 votes to 1703 during that year's municipal elections. [2] [7] [8]
In April 2015, McDonald threatened to block Nalcor Energy's heavy trucks from using roads in Conception Bay South during the construction at Muskrat Falls for the Lower Churchill Project. [9] After negotiations, the trucks were allowed as long as drivers drove below the speed limit and Nalcor repaired any damage. [10]
In 2014, McDonald closed a deal for a new town hall, which along with a stadium and fire house, account for $40 million of facilities scheduled to be completed in Fall 2015, of which C.B.S. would be responsible for $13.2 million. [11] [12] As a councillor in 2010, McDonald opposed a $20 million plan to build a larger town hall because he prioritized other issues such as access to water and sewage services. [13]
Federal politics
McDonald was the Liberal candidate for the riding of Avalon in the 2015 Canadian federal election, replacing Scott Andrews, who was ejected from caucus in March 2015 after allegations of sexual misconduct. [14] McDonald was elected with over 55% of the vote, defeating Andrews, who finished second. [4]
He was re-elected in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. [15]
In October 2022, McDonald supported a Conservative motion asking the federal government to agree to the request of Andrew Furey, the Liberal Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, for an exemption on the carbon pricing for home heating fuels. In October 2023, he again supported a failed non-binding motion from the Conservatives against carbon pricing. He was the only member from the Liberal, Bloc, or NDP caucuses to vote in favour of the motion. McDonald cited the effect the policy had on rural and vulnerable people. [16] However, in November 2023, he voted alongside the Liberals and Bloc against a failed non-binding Conservative motion to expand the temporary pause on carbon tax for all home heating fuels across the country [17] and was accused of giving the middle finger to the Conservatives while voting. [18]
In January 2024, McDonald called for a leadership review for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, [19] a statement he retracted the following day. [20] [21] In July 2024, McDonald announced on VOCM Radio that he would not seek re-election. [22] In the 2025 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, he endorsed Chrystia Freeland. [23]
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