LAIDLAW INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Know all men by these presents, that the undersigned officers and/or
directors of Laidlaw International, Inc. (the "Company") hereby constitute and
appoint Michelle V. Bryan as attorney of the undersigned, to sign all Forms 3, 4
and 5 (including any amendments thereto) that the undersigned may be required to
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of the
undersigned's ownership of or transaction in securities of the Company pursuant
to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any state regulatory authority, granting unto said
attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming that said attorney-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

         This power of attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original with respect to the person executing it.

                  Executed as of this 3rd day of February, 2004.


                                                   /s/ Jeffery A. McDougle
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Jeffery A. McDougle
                                                   Vice President and Treasurer