Major-General Macdonald was born long ago and far away. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces after completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at the University of Prince Edward Island.

He has commanded at the troop, squadron and regimental level with the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He was the Canadian Contingent Commander during a humanitarian mission to Central Africa in late 1996. He was the Commander of 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group from June 1998 to June 2000. From July 2000 to June 2002 he served as Deputy Commanding General of III (US) Corps and Fort Hood.

He has served on the staffs of Headquarters 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group as a Liaison Officer, Headquarters 1st British Corps as the SO2 G3 Operations, Headquarters Canadian Contingent to UNPROFOR as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Bosnia Command of UNPROFOR as the Chief of Operations, Headquarters 1st Canadian Division as the Chief of Staff, on the Land Staff at National Defence Headquarters as the Director General Land Staff, and, most recently, at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe as the Director of Staff.

He is a graduate of the Royal Canadian Armour Corps School, the United States Army Armour Officer Advanced Course, the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, the Canadian Forces Language School and the United States Army War College.

He was appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1991, as an Officer of the Order of Military Merit in 1997, and was awarded the United States Legion of Merit in 2002 and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal in 2006.

Major-General Macdonald was posted to his current position as Chief of Defence Intelligence in January of 2007.