[1] McDonald was an unexceptional student who admits he showed no aptitude for science, failed grade 9, and attended York University, studying English and Philosophy, but flunked out in his 2nd year.

[3] Upon returning to Canada, he was in great demand to talk about the missions and eventually became the regular science correspondent for a number of shows.

In 1992, he became the host of the weekly CBC Radio science program "Quirks & Quarks," taking over from Jay Ingram.

On September 8, 2005, McDonald premiered a new three-season, 39-part series on TVOntario called Heads Up!, which he both wrote and hosted.

[15] McDonald was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada on June 30, 2011 "for his contributions, as a journalist and educator, to the public understanding of science.