Mr. MacKinnon is a frequent commentator on Canadian fiscal issues. He has spoken to audiences across Ontario and his work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, the National Post and many local newspapers across Canada. He has also been a guest on The Agenda on TVO, the BNN and other national  public affairs programs.

Mr. MacKinnon is a native of Prince Edward Island. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree (honours economics) from Dalhousie University and an MBA from York University. He was also awarded a Centennial Fellowship by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and York University to study at York, Harvard and Oxford Universities as well as the European Institute of Business Studies.

Mr. MacKinnon served as Director, Planning and Economics and Executive Director, Development Strategy in the Nova Scotia Department of Development from 1977 to 1981. He later served in several senior capacities in the Ontario Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Montreal and as CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association from 1996 to 2003. He was also CEO of the Ontario Development Corporation, Ontario’s major economic development agency, from 1986 to 1993.

He is a Past Chair, West Park Healthcare Center, a Toronto rehabilitation hospital and currently serves as a Director and Chair of the Finance Committee at the Canadian Standards Association. He is a former member of the Patient Relations Committee of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, after serving on the governing council of that organization for six years.

In 2012, Mr. MacKinnon joined the board of the Quinte Health Care Center, a community hospital with sites in Picton, Belleville, Bancroft and Trenton.

David and his wife Betsy moved to Prince Edward County in 2010 after sailing in county waters for fifteen years.