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                                  EXHIBIT 10.8





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THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT entered into as of January 1, 1999


BETWEEN:                          DONALD C. MACMARTIN, Executive, residing at
                                  417 Roslyn Avenue, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 2T6

                                  (hereinafter referred to as the "Executive")


AND:                              WOOD WYANT INC., a corporation incorporated
                                  under the Canada Business Corporations Act

                                  (hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation")


     WHEREAS the Corporation desires to continue to employ the Executive, and
the Executive desires to continue such employment, upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties, intending legally to be bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.   EMPLOYMENT

     The Corporation hereby continues the employment of the Executive as the 
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation 
commencing January 1, 1999 (the "Employment Date").

2.   DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE

     The Executive shall devote his full time and attention to, and use his 
best efforts to promote, the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall 
perform duties and have such responsibilities as are customarily performed and 
enjoyed by persons employed in comparable positions, subject, however, to the 
direction and control of the board of directors of the Corporation.

3.   TERM

     3.1  The initial term of the employment of the Executive pursuant to this
          Agreement shall be a 3 year fixed term (the "Initial Term"), beginning
          on the Employment Date;

     3.2  The Executive shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement any time
          by giving prior written notice of three (3) months;

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3.3  The term of employment of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be
     automatically renewed for 1 year (a "Renewal Term") upon the expiry of the
     Initial Term and on each anniversary of the Employment Date thereafter,
     unless the Corporation gives notice of intention not to renew:

     (i)   in the case of the Initial Term, 6 months prior to the expiry of the
           Initial Term;

     (ii)  in the case of a Renewal Term, 3 months prior to the expiry of such
           Renewal Term.

3.4  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall terminate immediately
     in the event of:

     (i)   the termination of the employment of the Executive by the Corporation
           with Cause;

     (ii)  the Permanent Disability (as hereinafter defined) of the Executive;

     (iii) the death of the Executive;

     (iv)  the dismissal of the Executive without Cause by the Corporation 
           during the Initial Term or a Renewal Term; or

     (v)   the resignation of the Executive in connection with a Change in
           Control of Wyant Corporation in the 3 months following such Change in
           Control due to (a) a significant reduction in his duties and
           responsibilities, (b) a significant reduction in base salary or (c) a
           relocation to a city which the Executive does not accept;

     provided that, in the case of termination due to an event described in
     paragraph 3.4(iv) or 3.4(v), the obligation of the Corporation to pay the
     amounts set out in Section 5.1 and to provide the benefits set out in
     Section 10 shall survive such termination.

4.   SALARY

     4.1  The Corporation agrees to pay the Executive for the services rendered
          by him as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
          of the Corporation in accordance with this Agreement, and the
          Executive agrees to accept as compensation a base salary at the annual
          rate of $410,000 in lawful money of 
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          Canada, payable in equal bi-weekly instalments, less deductions and
          withholdings in accordance with the Corporation's usual payroll
          policies and applicable laws.

     4.2  The base salary for each year of the term of this Agreement after the
          first year shall be subject to annual review and adjustment by the
          board of directors of the Corporation.

5.   SEVERANCE

     5.1  Notwithstanding Sections 3.1 and 3.3, the Executive shall be entitled
          to receive, as severance compensation, for a period of 18 months
          following:

          (i)   the dismissal of the Executive without Cause by the Corporation
                during the Initial Term or a Renewal Term;

          (ii)  the resignation of the Executive in connection with a Change in
                Control of Wyant Corporation in the 3 months following such
                Change in Control due to (a) a significant reduction in his
                duties and responsibilities, (b) a significant reduction in base
                salary or (c) a relocation to a city which the Executive does
                not accept; or

          (iii) the non-renewal of the employment of the Executive following a
                notice by the Corporation of its intention not to renew such
                employment in accordance with Section 3.3;

          the payment of an amount equal to his base salary immediately prior to
          such termination payable in equal by-weekly instalments, less
          deductions and withholdings as well as any medical benefits to which
          the Executive was entitled immediately prior to such termination.

6.   BONUS COMPENSATION

     In addition to the compensation described in Section 4.1 and Section 4.2
above, the Executive shall be entitled to bonus compensation on an annual basis
at the discretion of the board of directors of the Corporation.

7.   BENEFITS AND EXPENSES

     7.1  The Executive shall, during the Initial Term and Renewal Terms of this
          Agreement, be entitled to all such employment benefits as may, from
          time to time, be made generally available to senior management
          employees of the Corporation.

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     7.2  Upon presentation of appropriate vouchers in accordance with the 
          Corporation's policies and practices, the Executive shall be 
          reimbursed for all reasonable expenses which are incurred by him in 
          the performance of his duties hereunder.

8.   VEHICLE
     The Corporation shall supply the Executive with a leased vehicle in 
accordance with the Corporation's Executive Car Policy.

9.   VACATIONS
     The Executive shall be entitled to the greater of 4 weeks' paid vacation 
or the number of weeks of paid vacation under the Corporation's vacation policy 
per twelve month period ending April 30 during the Initial Term and any Renewal 
Term. Unused vacations shall lapse at the end of each such twelve month period 
and shall not carry over to any subsequent year. The vacations shall be taken 
at times agreeable with the Corporation and consistent with the Executive's 
duties. No payment shall be made to the Executive for vacation days which are 
not taken.

10.  CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN BENEFITS
     Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement for any reason other 
than termination for Cause:

     10.1 for the purposes of calculating the annual pension of the Executive 
          in accordance with Section 5.1 of the retirement arrangement made as 
          of June 27, 1994, as amended, between the Executive and the 
          Corporation attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Retirement 
          Arrangement"), the Credited Service (as defined in the Retirement 
          Arrangement of the Executive) shall extend to December 31, 2003;

     10.2 for the purposes of calculating any other retirement benefits to 
          which the Executive was entitled immediately prior to such 
          termination, the Executive shall be credited with service to 
          December 31, 2003;

     10.3 the Corporation shall continue to make available to the Executive all 
          benefits referred to in Section 7.1 (excluding long term disability 
          benefits) and the use of a leased vehicle for the 18 month period 
          following such termination.

11.  COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE
     11.1 The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not, within 
          North America:
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          (i)       directly or indirectly engage in, or have any interest in
                    (either individually, or as a joint venturer, partner,
                    member of any firm, officer, director, stockholder, lender,
                    financial or other consultant or employee of any person,
                    firm, joint venture, partnership or corporation, or
                    otherwise) any person, firm, corporation or business that
                    engages in a business which is competitive, directly or
                    indirectly, with the business of the Corporation;

          (ii)      divert or attempt to divert or take advantage of any
                    business or opportunities of any type whatsoever which are
                    directly or indirectly competitive with the business of the
                    Corporation;

          (iii)     solicit or attempt to solicit any existing or future 
                    customer or clients which use the services of or provide 
                    services to the Corporation, except where such solicitation 
                    or attempted solicitation concerns business activities 
                    which are not directly competitive with the business of the 
                    Corporation; or

          (iv)      solicit or induce or attempt to solicit or induce any 
                    employee of the Corporation to leave or terminate such 
                    employment;

          (collectively, the "Covenant Not to Compete"), for a period 
          commencing on the Employment Date and terminating:

          11.1.1    in the case of termination without Cause, on the later of 
                    (i) 18 months following the termination of this Agreement, 
                    and (ii) December 31, 2003; or

          11.1.2    in the case of termination for Cause, on the later of (i) 
                    18 months following the termination of this Agreement and 
                    (ii) December 31, 2003.

     11.2 The Executive confirms that the restrictive provisions of the Covenant
          Not To Compete are reasonable and that a breach thereof will cause 
          the Corporation irreparable harm, and the Executive agrees that the 
          Corporation shall be entitled to equitable relief, including remedies 
          of injunction and specific performance, with respect to any breach 
          or attempted breach of the Covenant Not To Compete.

12.  CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

     For purposes of this Agreement the following terms and phrases shall have 
the following meanings:

 
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     12.1 "Permanent Disability" shall means the inability of the Executive to
          perform substantially all his duties and responsibilities to the 
          Corporation by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity 
          for either:

          (i)   a continuous period of nine months, or

          (ii)  270 days during any consecutive twelve month period.

          The date of such Permanent Disability shall be, in the case of clause 
          (i) above, the last day of such nine month period or in the case of 
          clause (ii) above, such date as determined in good faith by the board 
          of directors of the Corporation.

     12.2 "Cause" shall mean:

          (i)   conviction of a crime involving the misappropriation of funds or
                property of the Corporation or otherwise constituting a felony 
                under applicable law, or the entering of a plea of guilty or 
                nolo contendere in respect of the same; or

          (ii)  a determination by a majority of the members of the board of 
                directors of the Corporation that the Executive has neglected 
                his duties hereunder after written notice thereof from the 
                Corporation and failure to correct any alleged deficiency (as 
                determined by a majority of the members of the board of 
                directors of the Corporation) in 60 days; for such purposes, the
                board of directors of the Corporation will be deemed not to 
                include a member who is a Related Party to the Executive;

          (iii) a unanimous determination by the members of the board of 
                directors of the Corporation, other than the Executive, which 
                determination shall be final, binding and conclusive, that the 
                Executive has committed an act involving dishonesty or gross 
                negligence, or any other act which in the reasonable judgment of
                such members of the board of directors of the Corporation could 
                materially harm the business reputation of the Corporation in 
                the community.

     12.3 "Related Party" shall mean with respect to any person who is an
          individual, a child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent,
          grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law,
          son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of that
          person, including adoptive relationships.

     12.4 "Change in Control" shall mean (i) the sale to a third party of 
          substantially all of the assets of Wyant Corporation on a 
          consolidated basis (provided that the sale of
  



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          the assets of Wyant Health Care shall not be considered a Change in
          Control for the purposes of this Agreement), (ii) a successful
          takeover bid by a third party resulting in such third party holding a
          majority of the outstanding voting shares of Wyant Corporation, or
          (iii) the merger or amalgamation or Wyant Corporation with any other
          entity such that all of the shareholders of Wyant Corporation
          immediately prior to such merger or amalgamation cease, after giving
          effect thereto, to hold the majority of voting shares of the resulting
          merged or amalgamated corporation.


13.  NOTICE

     All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt of: hand delivery;
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or telecopy transmission
with confirmation of receipt:

     13.1 If to the Corporation, to:
          
          Wood Wyant Inc.
          1475 32nd Avenue
          Lachine, Quebec H8T 3J1
          ATTENTION: VICE-CHAIRMAN

          Telecopier: (514) 636-8935
          Telephone:  (514) 636-9926

          with a copy to:

          Wyant Corporation
          100 Readington Road
          Somerville, New Jersey 08876
          ATTENTION: CHAIRMAN, COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

          Telecopier: (908) 707-1549
          Telephone:  (908) 707-1800


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     13.2 If to the Executive, to:
          
          Wood Wyant Inc.
          1475 32nd Avenue
          Lachine, Quebec H8T 3J1
          ATTENTION: DONALD C. MACMARTIN

          Telecopier: (514) 636-8935
          Telephone:  (514) 636-9926


14.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     14.1 WITHHOLDING. The Corporation shall entitled to withhold the amount, if
          any, of all taxed or other amounts which in accordance with the
          applicable laws of any jurisdiction are required to be withheld by an
          employer with respect to any amount paid to the Executive hereunder.
          The Corporation, in its sole and absolute discretion, acting
          reasonably, shall make all determinations as to whether it is
          obligated to withhold any taxed or other amounts hereunder and the
          amount thereof.

     14.2 NO ASSIGNMENT. The Executive shall not, and shall not have any right
          to, sell, assign, transfer or pledge any rights under this Agreement
          by operation of law or otherwise.

     14.3 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of
          competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such
          provision shall be severed and enforced to the extent possible or
          modified in such a way as to make it enforceable, and the invalidity,
          illegality or unenforceability thereof shall not affect the validity,
          legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this
          Agreement.

     14.4 SUCCESSORS. This Agreement and all the terms and provisions hereof
          shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of all of the
          parties hereto, and their legal representatives, heirs, successors and
          assigns, except as expressly herein otherwise provided.

     14.5 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
          accordance with the laws of the Province of Quebec.

     14.6 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
          which shall be original, but all of which shall constitute one and the
          same instrument.


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     14.7   PRONOUNS AND HEADINGS. As used herein, all pronouns shall include
            the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural thereof
            wherever the context and facts require such construction. The
            headings, titles and subtitles herein are inserted for convenience
            of reference only and are to be ignored in any construction of the
            provisions hereof.

     14.8   AMENDMENTS. This Agreement can be amended in any respect upon the
            written agreement of all of the parties hereto.

     14.9   JURISDICTION. Any judicial proceeding brought against any of the
            parties to this Agreement with respect to any dispute arising out of
            this Agreement or any matter related hereto may be brought in the
            courts of the Province of Quebec, and by execution and delivery of
            this Agreement, each of the parties to this Agreement accepts for
            himself or itself the exclusive jurisdiction in the aforesaid
            courts, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered
            thereby in connection with this Agreement.

     14.10  LANGUAGE CLAUSE. The parties hereto have requested and hereby
            confirm their request that this agreement and all notices relating
            thereto be drafted in the English language. Les parties aux
            presentes ont demande et par les presentes confirment leur demande
            que le present contrat et tout avis y afferent soient rediges en
            anglais.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.



                                    __________________________________________
                                    DONALD C. MACMARTIN



                                    WOOD WYANT INC.


                                    Per:             J.A. WYANT
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