Andy MacDonald was a member of the executive of the Brampton Professional Fire Fighters Association (BPFFA), IAFF Local 1068, for many years before joining the management ranks. While a member of the BPFFA executive, Andy participated in collective agreement negotiations and gained the union's perspective. As a member of the negotiating team on the other side of the table, Andy now plays a key role as a chief spokesperson of the Corporation's bargaining team. Andy's insight into negotiations from both sides of the negotiation table gives him an interesting perspective into the dynamics of collective bargaining.

Andy holds a Certificate in Industrial Relations from the Queen's Industrial Relations Centre and participated in the program on negotiations at the Harvard Law School. Andy has also studied at York University and the Ontario Fire College.

He spends much of his free time aiding in many charitable causes and was the driving force behind the construction of his dream, the world's first Fire/Life Safety Education Centre in Brampton. Andy's other charitable exploits include rappelling off the CN Tower in 1985 to raise money for a Toronto burn unit, earning him a spot in the Guinness Book of Records.

Andy presents at the following IRC program(s): Negotiation Skills