[1] McDonald is a founding member of the Esquesing Historical Society and was awarded the Ontario Heritage Community Recognition Program "Certificate of Achievement".
He was recognized for his community efforts and historical research when presented with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.
McDonald has conducted extensive research throughout the Halton area since the early 1970s.
This work[3] has resulted in the publication of three books and numerous presentations to churches, schools, service clubs, historical societies as well as walking tours over the past 35 years.
His latest book,[4] Halton’s Heritage, features the story of William Halton—the man the county (and region) was named for---and deals with the origin of place names for over 70 settlements in Halton.