Career
He represented King"s County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1920 to 1925 as a Liberal member. McDonald sat for King"s division in the Senate of Canada from 1945 to 1962. McDonald was minister without portfolio from 1923 to 1925 and Minister of Agriculture from 1933 to 1945 in the province"s Executive Council.
He was defeated when he ran for reelection to the provincial assembly in 1925.
He was born in Upper Dyke Village, Nova Scotia, the son of Andrew South. McDonald and Clara Kidston. McDonald was educated at the Kentville Academy and Acadia University.