The Communist Party of Canada fielded several candidates in the 1984 federal election, none of whom were elected.
McDonald was a frequent candidate for public office, campaigning for the Communist Party and the federal, provincial and municipal levels. She was a social worker in private life, and was the Central Women's organizer for the Communist Party in 1979.http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/HFER/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Cresdetail&Election=1806http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/HFER/hfer.asp?Language=E&Search=Cresdetail&Election=2160
In 1986, she was listed a representative of the organization Consumers Against Rising Prices. During the same year, she criticized the mainstream Canadian press for not publishing the details of a peace initiative launched by Union of Soviet Socialist Republics leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Please note: The 1982 municipal totals are taken from the Globe and Mail, newspaper, 9 November 1982 (90 out of 91 polls reporting).