AMR Sold

[Guest guest]

<http://www.onex.com/ex/ex_news/images/news_logo.gif>

<http://www.onex.com/ex/ex_news/images/news_header.gif>

Stock Symbol: TSX: OCX.SV

Toronto, Ontario - December 6, 2004.

_____

ONEX TO ACQUIRE US HEALTH SERVICES COMPANIES FOR $980 MILLION

_____

All amounts in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated

NEW YORK and TORONTO - Onex Corporation (TSX: OCX.SV) announced today that

it has agreed with Laidlaw International, Inc. (NYSE: LI) to acquire two of

its subsidiaries, American Medical Response, Inc. ( " AMR " ) and EmCare, Inc.

( " EmCare " ) in a transaction valued at approximately $980 million. The

investment will be made through Onex Partners and certain of its limited

partners, which will invest approximately $260 million in equity. Senior

management of the businesses will also be investors and owners along with

Onex.

AMR, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is the largest U.S. provider of

ambulance transport services. The company provides emergency response

services on behalf of communities, municipalities and other local government

agencies as well as non-emergency transports between healthcare facilities

or from a healthcare facility to a patient's home. AMR also provides

additional services such as contracted dispatching to public safety

agencies, medical stand-by support for public events, mobile health

services, and paramedic training. AMR has the broadest geographic footprint

and the largest network of ambulance services in the United States,

operating 4,400 vehicles through more than 260 locations in 34 states with

approximately 18,200 employees.

EmCare, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the leading provider of

outsourced hospital emergency department ( " ED " ) physician staffing and

management services. The company assists its clients in the operation of

their EDs, providing recruiting services, staff coordination, quality

assurance, departmental accreditation, risk management, billing, record

keeping, third-party payment, and other administrative services. EmCare also

recruits and schedules physicians, called hospitalists, to provide medical

care for patients in hospital inpatient settings. EmCare has operations

across the U.S., with over 300 contracts in 38 states and approximately

4,100 employees and clinicians.

" AMR and EmCare represent two excellent platforms for growth in the

emergency medical services industry. Both companies have industry-leading

positions, significant and stable customer bases and an experienced

management team led by A. Sanger, CEO of AMR and EmCare, " said

Le Blanc, an Onex Managing Director. " We believe that this investment

will enable the management team to take advantage of future growth

opportunities that will create shareholder, customer and patient value. "

" These companies have been excellent performers for the past few years and I

am delighted that they are being acquired by a company which appreciates

both their potential and the quality of their current management team. I

look forward to hearing of their continued success, " said Benson,

Chief Executive Officer of Laidlaw International, Inc.

Onex' commitment is subject to certain terms and conditions, including

regulatory approvals. This transaction is expected to close in the first

quarter of 2005.

Onex Partners LP, headquartered in New York, is a $2.2 billion private

equity fund established by Onex Corporation. Onex Partners provides capital

for new Onex-sponsored acquisitions not related to Onex' existing operating

companies. Onex has committed $525 million to Onex Partners.

Onex Corporation is a diversified company with annual consolidated revenues

of approximately $16 billion and consolidated assets of approximately $13

billion. Onex is one of Canada's largest companies with global operations in

service, manufacturing and technology industries. Its operating companies

include Celestica Inc., Magellan Health Services, Inc., ClientLogic

Corporation, Cineplex Galaxy LP, J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc.,

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc., Res-Care, Inc., Cosmetic Essence, Inc.,

InsLogic Corporation, Performance Logistics Group, Inc. and Radian

Communication Services Corporation. Onex shares trade on the Toronto Stock

Exchange under the stock symbol OCX.SV.

For further information: Le Blanc -

For more information on Onex Corporation, visit its website at www.onex.com.

Onex Corporation's security filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on

management's current expectations and are subject to known and unknown

uncertainties and risks, which could cause actual results to differ

materially from those contemplated or implied by such forward-looking

statements. Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking

statements contained herein should material facts change due to new

information, future events or otherwise.

As of its date, this press release contains all material information

associated with this event.

E. Bledsoe, DO, FACEP

Midlothian, TX

http://www.bryanbledsoe.com