Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 4.28

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

CAPITAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INC. (the "Company") and WILLIAM P. HULLIGAN (the
"Executive") hereby enter into this EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as
of June 1, 2003 (the "Effective Date").

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements set forth
herein, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company
and the Executive agree as follows:

1.       EMPLOYMENT.

The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive shall be employed by the
Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

2.       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

2.1      TERM. Subject to Section 2.2 and the termination provisions hereinafter
         provided, the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement shall
         begin on the Effective Date and end on the second anniversary of the
         Effective Date (the "Employment Term").

3.       DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

Executive shall serve as Executive Vice-President- Operations of the Company.
Executive's duties shall include the responsibilities, duties and authorities
attenuate to this office and he shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company.

4.       COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

(a)      BASE SALARY. During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay
         Executive a base salary at the annual rate of three hundred thousand
         U.S. dollars ($300,000), or such higher rate as may be determined from
         time to time by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee
         thereof) (such amount, as increased from time to time, the "Base
         Salary"). Such Base Salary shall be paid on the Company's regular pay
         days in accordance with the Company's standard payroll practice for
         executive officers.

(b)      OTHER COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

         (i)      In addition to the Base Salary, Executive shall be entitled to
                  an annual cash bonus of up to 100% of the Base Salary, subject
                  to satisfaction of annual performance objectives mutually
                  agreed upon at the beginning of each fiscal year.

         (ii)     Effective on the Effective Date, Company shall grant to
                  Executive pursuant to the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan,
                  options to purchase 500,000 common shares of common stock of
                  the Company. The exercise price of the optioned shares shall
                  be fixed at the date of grant.

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         (ii)     Executive shall be eligible to participate in any supplemental
                  or incentive compensation, stock option or other fringe
                  benefit plans generally made available to executive officers
                  of the Company and to receive additional compensation from the
                  Company in such form and to such extent, if any, as the Board
                  of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may from
                  time to time specify and determine with respect to the
                  Company's executive officers.

         (iii)    In addition to normal holidays recognized by the Company,
                  Executive shall be entitled to the greater of (a) four (4)
                  weeks of paid vacation annually and (b) such other amount of
                  paid vacation as may be afforded executive officers under the
                  Company's policies in effect from time to time.

(c)      EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. The Company shall promptly reimburse Executive
         for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incident to his position in
         accordance with the Company's customary practices applicable to full
         time executive officers.

(d)      BENEFIT PLANS. Executive shall be eligible to participate in or receive
         benefits under any retirement plans, pension plans, profit-sharing
         plan, medical or dental benefit plans, life insurance plans, short-term
         or long-term disability plans or other fringe benefit plans as are
         generally made available to full time executive officers of the
         Company.

(e)      EMPLOYEE'S EXPENSES. All costs and expenses (including reasonable
         legal, accounting and other advisory fees) incurred by Executive to (i)
         determine in any tax year of Executive, the Tax consequences to
         Executive of any amount payable (or reimbursable) under Section 7(b) or
         7(c) hereof, or (ii) prepare responses to an Internal Revenue Service
         or Canada Customs and Revenue Agency audit of, and to otherwise defend,
         his personal income tax return for any year which is the subject of any
         such audit, or an adverse determination, administrative proceeding or
         civil litigation arising therefrom that is occasioned by or related to
         any audit by Internal Revenue Service or the Canada Customs and Revenue
         Agency of the Company's income tax returns, shall, upon written demand
         by Executive, be promptly advanced or reimbursed to Executive, or paid
         directly, on a current basis, by the Company or its successors;
         provided, however, in no event shall the Company be required to advance
         or reimburse to Executive or pay directly more than seventy-five
         thousand Canadian dollars ($75,000 CDN) in any given fiscal year
         pursuant to this Section 4(e).

5.       TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

Subject to the payment to Executive of all amounts required by Sections 6 and 7
below, Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated under the following
circumstances:

(a)      DEATH. Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon
         Executive's death.

(b)      TOTAL DISABILITY. The Company shall terminate Executive's employment
         hereunder upon Executive becoming "Totally Disabled." For purposes of
         this Agreement, Executive shall be "Totally Disabled" if, in the good
         faith determination of

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         the Board of Directors, based on sound medical advice, Executive has
         become physically or mentally incapable of performing Executive's usual
         and customary duties under this Agreement for a continuous period of
         one hundred eighty (180) days, in which event Executive will be deemed
         Totally Disabled upon the expiration of such one hundred eighty (180)
         day period. Executive's receipt of disability benefits under the
         Company's long-term disability plan shall be deemed conclusive evidence
         of Total Disability for purposes of this Agreement; provided, however,
         that a determination of Total Disability also may be made by the Board
         of Directors as provided above in the absence of Executive's receipt of
         such long-term disability benefits.

(c)      TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE. The Company may terminate
         Executive's employment hereunder for "Cause" at any time after
         providing written notice to Executive. For purposes of this Agreement,
         the term "Cause" shall mean any of the following: (A) conviction of a
         crime (including conviction on a nolo contendere plea) involving an
         indictable offense or, in the good faith judgment of the Company's
         Board of Directors, moral turpitude; (B) deliberate and continual
         refusal to perform Executive's usual and customary duties under this
         Agreement (other than as a result of vacation, sickness, illness or
         injury) after thirty (30) days' written notice by registered mail to
         Executive of such failure to perform, specifying that the failure
         constitutes cause; (C) fraud or embezzlement determined in accordance
         with the Company's internal investigative procedures consistently
         applied in comparable circumstances; (D) gross misconduct or gross
         negligence in connection with performance of Executive's duties under
         this Agreement that has a material adverse effect on the Company; or
         (E) breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 8 hereof.

(d)      VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE. Executive may terminate his
         employment hereunder (i) at any time during the Employment Term after
         providing thirty (30) days' written notice to the Company, or (ii) at
         any time within six (6) months after a Change of Control (as defined in
         Section 7(a) hereof), without prior notice, as provided in Section 7 of
         this Agreement.

(e)      TERMINATION BY COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE. At any time during the Employment
         Term, the Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder
         without Cause effective immediately upon written notice to Executive.

6.       COMPENSATION FOLLOWING TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

In the event that Executive's employment hereunder is terminated, Executive
shall be entitled to the following compensation and benefits upon such
termination:

(a)      TERMINATION BY REASON OF DEATH OR TOTAL DISABILITY. In the event that
         Executive's employment is terminated by reason of Executive's death or
         Total Disability:

         (i)      Executive or his beneficiaries or estate shall be entitled to
                  receive, within fourteen (14) days after the effective date of
                  termination, any accrued but unpaid Base

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                  Salary for services rendered by Executive to the Company prior
                  to the date of termination, any accrued but unpaid expenses
                  required to be reimbursed under this Agreement, and cash
                  compensation (at a rate per day equal to the Base Salary
                  divided by the number of business days in the relevant year)
                  for any accrued vacation that remained unused by the Executive
                  at the time of termination.

         (ii)     Any earned benefits to which Executive (or his beneficiaries
                  or estate) may be entitled pursuant to the plans, policies and
                  arrangements referred to in Section 4(d) hereof shall be
                  determined and paid in accordance with the terms of such
                  plans, policies and arrangements.

         (iii)    Executive (or his beneficiaries or estate) shall be entitled
                  to be paid his Base Salary on the Company's regular pay days
                  for the greater of the balance of the Employment Term at the
                  time of Executive's death or six (6) months (the "Salary
                  Continuance Period"), plus the average of the cash bonus(es)
                  paid or payable to Executive in the most recently completed
                  fiscal year, pro rated for the balance of the Salary
                  Continuance Period.

         (iv)     Executive or his beneficiaries or estate shall be entitled to
                  continue to receive life insurance, medical, dental and
                  short-term and long-term disability benefits of the type and
                  amount made available to Executives immediately prior to
                  termination pursuant to the plans, policies and arrangements
                  referred to in Section 4(d) hereof for the Salary Continuance
                  Period; provided, however, if such plans, policies and
                  arrangements do not continue to be maintained by the Company
                  or are otherwise not available to Executive, the Company shall
                  provide for and make available to Executive substantially
                  similar economic benefits as were provided to Executive
                  pursuant to such plans, policies and arrangements as of the
                  effective date of termination.

         (v)      Any stock options granted Executive prior to the effective
                  date of termination will continue to vest (to the extent such
                  options were unvested at the time of termination) and
                  Executive or his beneficiaries or estate shall be permitted to
                  exercise such options at the same time and in the amounts as
                  would have been the case had Executive remained employed by
                  the Company.

(b)      TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. In the event that Executive's employment is
         terminated by the Company for Cause pursuant to Section 5(c):

         (i)      Executive shall be entitled to receive, within fourteen (14)
                  days after the effective date of termination, any accrued but
                  unpaid Base Salary for services rendered by Executive to the
                  Company prior to the date of termination, any accrued but
                  unpaid expenses required to be reimbursed under this
                  Agreement, and cash compensation (at a rate per day equal to
                  the Base Salary divided by the number of business days in the
                  relevant year) for any accrued vacation that remained unused
                  by the Executive at the time of termination.

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         (ii)     Any earned benefits to which Executive may be entitled
                  pursuant to the plans, policies and arrangements referred to
                  in Section 4(d) hereof shall be determined and paid in
                  accordance with the terms of such plans, policies and
                  arrangements.

(c)      VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE. In the event that Executive
         terminates his employment pursuant to Section 5(d)(i) hereof:

         (i)      Executive shall be entitled to receive, within fourteen (14)
                  days after the effective date of termination, any accrued but
                  unpaid Base Salary for services rendered by Executive to the
                  Company prior to the date of termination, any accrued but
                  unpaid expenses required to be reimbursed under this
                  Agreement, and cash compensation (at a rate per day equal to
                  the Base Salary divided by the number of business days in the
                  relevant year) for any accrued vacation that remained unused
                  by the Executive at the time of termination.

         (ii)     Any earned benefits to which Executive may be entitled
                  pursuant to the plans, policies and arrangements referred to
                  in Section 4(d) hereof shall be determined and paid in
                  accordance with the terms of such plans, policies and
                  arrangements.

(d)      TERMINATION BY COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE. In the event that Executive's
         employment is terminated by the Company without Cause pursuant to
         Section 5(e) hereof:

         (i)      Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive his Base
                  Salary on the Company's regular pay days for the greater of
                  the remaining Employment Term at the time of termination, or
                  six (6) months (the "Severance Period").

         (ii)     Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive benefits
                  pursuant to the plans, policies and arrangements referred to
                  in Section 4(d) hereof throughout the Severance Period;
                  provided, however, that if such plans, policies and
                  arrangements do not continue to be maintained by the Company
                  or are otherwise not available to Executive throughout the
                  Severance Period, the Company shall provide for or make
                  available to Executive substantially similar economic benefits
                  as were provided to Executive pursuant to such plans, policies
                  and arrangements as of the effective date of termination
                  throughout the Severance Period.

         (iii)    Any stock options granted to Executive prior to the effective
                  date of termination will continue to vest (to the extent such
                  options were unvested at the time of termination) and
                  Executive shall be permitted to exercise such options at the
                  same time and in the amounts as would have been the case had
                  Executive remained employed by the Company;

         provided, however, that if the Company terminates Executive's
         employment without Cause within six (6) months after a Change of
         Control, Executive shall be paid the amounts set forth in Sections 7(b)
         and 7(c) hereof rather than the amounts set forth in this Section 6(d).

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(e)      NO OTHER BENEFITS OR COMPENSATION. Except as may be provided under this
         Agreement or under the terms of any incentive compensation, employee
         benefit or fringe benefit plan applicable to Executive at the time of
         Executive's termination of employment, Executive shall have no right to
         receive any other compensation, or to participate in any other plan,
         arrangement or benefit, with respect to future periods after such
         termination or resignation.

(f)      SUSPENSION OF TERMINATION OF BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION. Notwithstanding
         anything herein to the contrary, in the event that the Board of
         Directors determines in its good faith judgment that Executive has
         violated Sections 8(a) or 8(b) hereof, the Company shall have the right
         to suspend or terminate any or all remaining payments or benefits
         payable pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement. Such suspension or
         termination of benefits shall be in addition to and shall not limit any
         and all other rights and remedies that the Company may have against
         Executive.

7.       CHANGE OF CONTROL.

(a)      RESIGNATION FOLLOWING CHANGE OF CONTROL. In the event that Executive
         terminates his employment with the Company within six (6) months after
         a "Change of Control" pursuant to Section 5(d)(ii) hereof, Executive
         shall be entitled to the compensation described in this Section 7 upon
         such termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change of Control"
         means (A) the sale or lease of all or substantially all of the assets
         of the Company to any person or entity that, prior to such sale, was
         not controlled by the Company, (B) a merger, amalgamation,
         consolidation or other reorganization in which the Company is not the
         surviving entity or becomes owned entirely by another entity, unless at
         least 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or
         parent corporation, as the case may be, immediately following such
         transaction are beneficially held by such persons and entities in the
         same proportion as such persons and entities beneficially held the
         outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such
         transaction, (C) the acquisition in a single transaction or series of
         related transactions, other than pursuant to an acquisition by those
         Investors described in a Subscription Agreement dated as of July 27,
         2001 (such other acquisition by the Investors being referred to as an
         "Investor Acquisition"), of more than 50% of the voting securities of
         the Company by a single person or "group" within the meaning of Section
         13(d)(3) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
         amended, whether through the acquisition of previously issued and
         outstanding voting securities or of voting securities that have not
         been previously issued, or any combination thereof; provided, however,
         that any Investor Acquisition shall constitute a Change of Control if
         the Investor Acquisition is accompanied by a change in the board of
         directors of the Company such that the directors of the Company prior
         to such acquisition no longer constitute a majority of the board of
         directors of the Company after such acquisition and (D) the voluntary
         or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company,
         or the adoption of any resolution with respect thereto.

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(b)      COMPENSATION PAYABLE. In the event that Executive terminates his
         employment pursuant to Section 5(d)(ii) hereof:

         (i)      Executive shall be entitled to receive, within fourteen (14)
                  days after the effective date of termination, any accrued but
                  unpaid Base Salary for services rendered by Executive to the
                  Company prior to the date of termination, any accrued but
                  unpaid expenses required to be reimbursed under this
                  Agreement, and cash compensation (at a rate per day equal to
                  the Base Salary divided by the number of business days in the
                  relevant year) for any accrued vacation that remained unused
                  by Executive at the time of termination.

         (ii)     Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive his Base
                  Salary on the Company's regular pay days for greater of the
                  balance of the Employment Term at the effective date of
                  Executive's termination of his employment or six (6) months
                  (the "Salary Continuance Period"), plus the average of the
                  cash bonus(es) paid or payable to Executive in the most
                  recently completed fiscal year, pro rated for the balance of
                  the Salary Continuance Period.

         (iii)    Executive shall be entitled to continue to receive benefits
                  pursuant to the plans, policies and arrangements referred to
                  in Section 4(d) hereof throughout the Salary Continuance
                  Period; provided, however, if such plans, policies and
                  arrangements do not continue to be maintained by the Company
                  or are otherwise not available to Executive, the Company shall
                  provide for and make available to Executive substantially
                  similar economic benefits as were provided to Executive
                  pursuant to such plans, policies and arrangements as of the
                  effective date of termination.

         (iv)     Any stock options granted Executive prior to the effective
                  date of termination will continue to vest (to the extent such
                  options were unvested at the time of termination) and
                  Executive shall be permitted to exercise such options at the
                  same time and in the amounts as would have been the case had
                  Executive remained employed by the Company.

         Except as may be provided under this Section 7 or under the terms of
         any incentive compensation, employee benefit or fringe benefit plan
         applicable to Executive at the time of termination, Executive shall
         have no right to receive any other compensation, or to participate in
         any other plan, arrangement or benefit, with respect to future periods
         after such termination.

(c)      CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. In the event that any
         portion of the compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement,
         and any other payments and benefits under any other agreement with, or
         plan of the Company to or for the benefit of Executive (collectively,
         "Total Payments") constitute an "excess parachute payment" within the
         meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") (if
         applicable), then the Company shall pay Executive as promptly as
         practicable following such determination an additional amount (the
         "Gross-up Payment") calculated as described below to reimburse
         Executive on an after-tax basis for any excise tax

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         imposed on such payments under Section 4999 of the Code. The Gross-up
         Payment shall equal the amount, if any, needed to ensure that the net
         parachute payments (including the Gross-up Payment) actually received
         by Executive after the imposition of federal and state income,
         employment and excise taxes (including any interest or penalties
         imposed by the Internal Revenue Service), are equal to the amount that
         Executive would have netted after the imposition of federal and state
         income and employment taxes, had the Total Payments not been subject to
         the taxes imposed by Section 4999. For purposes of this calculation, it
         shall be assumed that Executive's tax rate will be the maximum federal
         rate to be computed with regard to Section 1(g) of the Code.

         In the event that Executive and the Company are unable to agree as to
         the amount of the Gross-up Payment, if any, the Company shall select a
         law firm or accounting firm from among those regularly consulted
         (during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the Change of
         Control) by the Company regarding federal income tax matters and such
         law firm or accounting firm shall determine the amount of the Gross-up
         Payment and such determination shall be final and binding upon
         Executive and the Company.

8.       RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

(a)      COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY. Executive covenants and agrees that at all times
         during Executive's employment with the Company, and during the
         Non-Compete Period (as defined below), Executive will not, without the
         prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, engage
         in, assist, or have any active interest or involvement, whether as an
         employee, agent, consultant, creditor, advisor, officer, director,
         stockholder (excluding holdings of less than 1% of the stock of a
         public company), partner, proprietor or any type of principal
         whatsoever in any person, firm or business entity which is engaged in
         the business of collecting, storing, transferring, recovering,
         recycling, marketing or disposing of rubbish, garbage, paper, textile
         wastes, or liquid or other wastes within 75 miles of any operating
         location of the Company or any of its affiliates (as such term is
         defined in U.S. securities laws), subsidiaries or successor
         corporations.

(b)      NON-SOLICITATION. Executive covenants and agrees that at all times
         during Executive's employment with the Company, and during the
         Non-Compete Period, Executive will not, without the prior written
         consent of the Company, directly or indirectly (i) induce any customer
         of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates (as such term is
         defined in U.S. securities laws) or successor corporations
         (collectively in this section 8 referred to as "Related Corporations")
         to patronize any similar business which competes with any material
         business of the Company or any of its Related Corporations; (ii)
         canvass, solicit or accept any similar business from any customer of
         the Company or any of its Related Corporations; (iii) request or advise
         any customer of the Company or any of its Related Corporations to
         withdraw, curtail or cancel such customer's business with the Company
         or any of its Related Corporations; (iv) disclose to any other person,
         firm or corporation the names or addresses of any customer of the
         Company or any of its Related Corporations other than as required in
         connection with the performance of Executive's duties under this
         Agreement; or (v) cause, solicit, entice or induce any present or
         future employee of the Company or any of its Related Corporations to
         leave

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         the employ of the Company or any of its Related Corporations, or to
         accept employment with, or compensation from, Executive.

(c)      NON-DISPARAGEMENT. Executive covenants and agrees that Executive shall
         not engage in any pattern of conduct that involves the making or
         publishing of written or oral statements or remarks (including, without
         limitation, the repetition or distribution of derogatory rumors,
         allegations, negative reports or comments) which are disparaging,
         deleterious or damaging to the integrity, reputation or good will of
         the Company or its management or any of its Related Corporations.

(d)      PROTECTED INFORMATION. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that
         Executive has had and will continue to have access to various
         confidential and proprietary information concerning the Company and its
         Related Corporations of a special and unique value which may include,
         without limitation, (i) books and records relating to operations,
         finance, accounting, sales, personnel and management, (ii) policies and
         matters relating particularly to the Company's operations and those of
         its Related Corporations such as customer service requirements, costs
         of providing service and equipment, operating costs and pricing
         matters, and (iii) various trade or business secrets, including
         customer lists, route sheets, business opportunities, marketing or
         business diversification plans, business development and bidding
         techniques, methods and processes, financial data and the like
         (collectively, the "Protected Information"). Executive therefore
         covenants and agrees that Executive will not at any time, either while
         employed by the Company or afterwards, knowingly make any independent
         use of, or knowingly disclose to any other person or organization
         (except as authorized by the Company or as required in connection with
         the performance of Executive's duties under this Agreement) any of the
         Protected Information.

(e)      NON-COMPETE PERIOD. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
         "Non-Compete Period" shall have the following meanings: (i) in the
         event of a termination of Executive without Cause pursuant to Section
         5(e) hereof, the Non-Compete Period shall mean the period during which
         payments are being made to Executive pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof,
         (ii) in the event Executive terminates his employment within six (6)
         months after a Change of Control pursuant to Section 5(d)(ii) hereof,
         in the case of a Change of Control that Executive supported by voting
         in favour of the transaction as a director, the Non-Compete Period
         shall mean the period beginning on the effective date of termination
         and ending on the third anniversary of the effective date of
         termination and, in the case of any other Change of Control, the
         Non-Compete Period shall mean the period beginning on the effective
         date of termination and ending on the second anniversary of the
         effective date of termination.

9.       ENFORCEMENT OF COVENANTS.

(a)      TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND FORFEITURE OF COMPENSATION. Executive
         agrees that any breach by Executive of any of the covenants set forth
         in Section 8 hereof during Executive's employment by the Company, shall
         be grounds for immediate dismissal of Executive and forfeiture of any
         accrued and unpaid Base Salary,

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         bonus, commissions or other compensation of such Executive as
         liquidated damages, which shall be in addition to and not exclusive of
         any and all other rights and remedies the Company may have against
         Executive.

(b)      RIGHT TO INJUNCTION. Executive acknowledges that a breach of the
         covenants set forth in Section 8 hereof will cause irreparable damage
         to the Company with respect to which the Company's remedy at law for
         damages will be inadequate. Therefore, in the event of a breach of the
         covenants set forth in Section 8 by Executive, Executive and the
         Company agree that the Company shall be entitled to the following
         particular forms of relief, in addition to remedies otherwise available
         to it at law or equity; (i) injunctions, both preliminary and
         permanent, enjoining or restraining such breach or anticipatory breach
         and Executive hereby consents to the issuance thereof forthwith and
         without bond by any court of competent jurisdiction; and (ii) recovery
         of all reasonable sums expended and costs, including reasonable
         attorney's fees, incurred by the Company to enforce the covenants set
         forth in this section.

(c)      SEVARABILITY OF COVENANTS. The covenants contained in Section 8 hereof
         constitute a series of separate covenants, one for each applicable
         State in the United States and the District of Columbia, and one for
         each province and Territory in Canada. If in any judicial proceeding, a
         court shall hold that any of the covenants set forth in Section 8
         exceed the time, geographic, or occupational limitations permitted by
         applicable laws, Executive and the Company agree that such provisions
         shall and are hereby reformed to the maximum time, geographic, or
         occupational limitations permitted by such laws. Further, in the event
         a court shall hold unenforceable any of the separate covenants deemed
         included herein, then such unenforceable covenant or covenants shall be
         deemed eliminated from the provisions of this Agreement for the purpose
         of such proceeding to the extent necessary to permit the remaining
         separate covenants to be enforced in such proceeding. Executive and the
         Company further agree that the covenants in Section 8 shall each be
         construed as a separate agreement independent of any other provisions
         of this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by
         Executive against the Company whether predicated on this Agreement or
         otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the
         Company of any of the covenants of Section 8.

10.      DISPUTES AND PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY'S FFES.

If at any time during the term of this Agreement or afterwards there should
arise any dispute as to the validity, interpretation or application of any term
or condition of this Agreement, the Company agrees, upon written demand by
Executive (and Executive shall be entitled upon application to any court of
competent jurisdiction, to the entry of a mandatory injunction, without the
necessity of posting any bond with respect thereto, compelling the Company) to
promptly provide sums sufficient to pay on a current basis (either directly or
by reimbursing Executive) Executive's costs and reasonable attorney's fees
(including without limitation expenses of investigation and disbursements for
the fees and expenses of experts) incurred by Executive in connection with any
such dispute or any litigation, (a) provided that Executive shall repay any such
amounts paid or advanced if Executive is not the prevailing party with respect
to any

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dispute or litigation arising under Sections 5(c) or 8 of this Agreement, or (b)
regardless of whether Executive is the prevailing party in a dispute or in
litigation involving any other provision of this Agreement, provided that the
court in which such litigation is first initiated determines with respect to
this obligation, upon application of either party hereto, that Executive did not
initiate frivolously such litigation. Under no circumstances shall Executive be
obligated to pay or reimburse the Company for any attorneys' fees, costs or
expenses incurred by the Company. The provisions of this Section shall survive
the expiration or termination of this Agreement and Executive's employment
hereunder.

11.      WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.

The Company may withhold all applicable taxes and other deductions required by
law from any compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement.

12.      NON-DISCLOSURE OF AGREEMENT TERMS.

If Executive's employment with the Company is terminated for any reason, the
Company agrees that, except to the extent required by law, it will not make or
publish, without the express written consent of Executive, any written or oral
statement concerning Executive or the terms of Executive's employment with the
Company, including, without limitation, his work-related performance or the
reasons or basis for the termination of Executive's employment with the Company.

13.      ASSIGNMENT.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective
heirs, representatives, successors and assigns. This Agreement shall not be
assignable by Executive, and shall be assignable by the Company only to any
financially solvent corporation or other entity resulting from the
reorganization, plan of arrangement, merger, consolidation or amalgamation of
the Company with any other corporation or entity or any corporation or entity to
or with which the Company's business or substantially all of its business or
assets may be sold, exchanged or transferred, and it must be so assigned by the
Company to, and accepted as binding upon it by, such other corporation or entity
in connection with any such amalgamation, reorganization, plan of arrangement,
merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or transfer (the provisions of this
sentence also being applicable to any successive such transaction).

14.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.

This Agreement shall supersede any and all existing oral or written agreements,
representations, or warranties between Executive and the Company relating to the
terms of Executive's employment by the Company. It may not be amended except by
a written agreement signed by both parties.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

15.      GOVERNING LAW.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
internal substantive laws of the Province of Ontario, without giving effect to
the conflict of law principles thereof.

16.      NOTICES.

Any notice, consent, request or other communication made or given in connection
with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given if delivered personally, mailed by registered or certified mail (return
receipt requested), or by confirmed facsimile to those listed below at their
following respective addresses or at such other address as each may specify by
notice to the others:

         To the Company:  Capital Environmental Resource Inc.

                  1005 Skyview Drive
                  Burlington, Ontario  L7P 5B1
                  Attention:  Secretary

         To Executive:  At the address for Executive set forth below.

17.      MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)      WAIVER. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any
         term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver
         thereof or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon
         strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.

(b)      SEVARABILITY. Subject to Section 9 hereof, if any term or provision of
         this Agreement is declared illegal or unenforceable by any court of
         competent jurisdiction and cannot be modified to be enforceable, such
         term or provision shall immediately become null and void, leaving the
         remainder of this Agreement in full force and effect.

(c)      HEADINGS. Section headings are used herein for convenience of reference
         only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of this
         Agreement.

(d)      RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. Whenever the context so requires, the use of the
         singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa.

(e)      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
         counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an
         original, and such counterparts will together constitute but one
         Agreement.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

CAPITAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INC.

By: /s/ Thomas E. Durkin, III
    -----------------------------------------

Title:  Executive Vice President,
        General Counsel and Secretary
       --------------------------------------

Date:   May 28, 2003
       --------------------------------------

EXECUTIVE

By: /s/ William P. Hulligan
    -----------------------------------------
    William P. Hulligan

Date:  May 28, 2003
      ---------------------------------------

                                      -13-<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.23

                             SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

$250,000,000.00                                                     July 1, 2003

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, American HomePatient, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, American HomePatient, Inc., a Tennessee corporation,
Designated Companies, Inc., AHP Finance, Inc., American HomePatient of New York,
Inc., National Medical Systems, Inc., Sound Medical Equipment, Inc., The
National Medical Rentals, Inc., National I.V., Inc., American HomePatient of
Arkansas, Inc., American HomePatient of Nevada, Inc., Volunteer Medical Oxygen &
Hospital Equipment Co., Allegheny Respiratory Associates, Inc., American
HomePatient of Illinois, Inc., American HomePatient of Texas, L.P., AHP, L.P.,
AHP Home Medical Equipment Partnership of Texas, Colorado Home Medical Equipment
Alliance, LLC, Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance, LLC, Northwest Washington
Alliance, LLC, AHP Home Care Alliance of Tennessee, AHP Alliance of Columbia,
AHP Knoxville Partnership, AHP Home Care Alliance of Gainesville, AHP Home Care
Alliance of Virginia (individually and collectively, "Makers"), jointly and
severally promise to pay to BANK OF MONTREAL (Bank of Montreal or its duly
appointed successor being referred to herein as the "Agent"), as agent for each
of the lender's listed on Schedule 1 hereto, as such schedule is amended from
time to time hereafter by Agent (each individually, a "Payee" and collectively,
the "Payees"; the Payees and any subsequent holders hereof are hereinafter
referred to collectively as the "Holders"), at the office of Agent located at
115 S. LaSalle Street, 12 W, Chicago, Illinois 60603 (attention: Heather Turf)
or at such other place as Agent may designate to Maker in writing from time to
time, the principal sum of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION AND NO/100THS DOLLARS
($250,000,000.00), together with interest on the outstanding principal balance
hereof from the date hereof at the rate of 6.785 percent (6.785%) per annum
(computed on the basis of a 360-day year). All capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Second Amended
Joint Plan of Reorganization for Maker dated January 2, 2003 (as amended from
time to time thereafter, the "Plan of Reorganization").

         Interest only on the outstanding principal balance hereof shall be due
and payable monthly, in arrears, with the first installment being payable on the
first (1st) day of August, 2003, and subsequent installments being payable on
the first (1st) business day of each succeeding month thereafter until August 1,
2009 (the "Maturity Date"), at which time the entire outstanding principal
balance, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, shall be immediately due
and payable in full.

         Prior to the Maturity Date, Maker shall, in addition to the payments
required above, make periodic payments of principal (the "Mandatory
Pre-Payments") to Agent, on behalf of the Holders, as follows: (i) until the
Class 5 and Class 8 Claimants are paid in full, for the fiscal years ending
December 31, 2004 and thereafter, Maker shall make principal payments hereunder
equal to one-third (1/3) of the amount of cash (as determined by Maker's
independent auditors) in excess of $7,000,000 that is available to Maker as of
the end of such year after accounting for all of Maker's

<PAGE>

expenditures and expenses during that calendar year, including without
limitation a reserve for payment of any Contested Claims, and (ii) after the
Class 5 and Class 8 Claimants are paid in full, for the fiscal years ending
prior to maturity, Maker shall make principal payments hereunder equal to 100%
of the amount of cash (as determined by Maker's independent auditors) in excess
of $7,000,000 that is available to Maker as of the end of such year after
accounting for all of Maker's expenditures and expenses during that calendar
year, including without limitation a reserve for payment of any Contested
Claims. All determinations of excess cash flow made by the Maker's independent
auditors shall be final, conclusive, and binding on Maker and Holders absent
manifest error.

         Any Mandatory Pre-Payments shall be paid in full to Agent, on behalf of
the Holders, by no later than March 31 of the year following the fiscal year
with respect to which such payments are required; provided, however, that Maker
shall make an estimated payment related to the Mandatory Pre-Payments on
September 30 of each fiscal year commencing September 30, 2004. The estimated
payment shall be in an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of Maker's good-faith
estimate of the Required Pre-Payments for such fiscal year based on Maker's cash
on hand at June 30 and anticipated cash needs during the remainder of the fiscal
year.

         The indebtedness evidenced hereby may be prepaid in whole or in part,
at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty. Any such
prepayments shall be credited first to any accrued and unpaid interest and then
to the outstanding principal balance hereof.

         Time is of the essence of this Note.

         In the event this Note is placed in the hands of an attorney for
collection, or if Holder incurs any external costs incident to the collection of
the indebtedness evidenced hereby, Maker and any endorsers hereof agree to pay
to Holder an amount equal to all such costs, including without limitation all
reasonable attorneys' fees and all court costs.

         Presentment for payment, demand, protest and notice of demand, protest
and nonpayment are hereby waived by Maker and all other parties hereto. No
failure to accelerate the indebtedness evidenced hereby by reason of an Event of
Default hereunder, acceptance of a past-due installment or other indulgences
granted from time to time, shall be construed as a novation of this Note or as a
waiver of such right of acceleration or of the right of Holder thereafter to
insist upon strict compliance with the terms of this Note or to prevent the
exercise of such right of acceleration or any other right granted hereunder or
by applicable law. No extension of the time for payment of the indebtedness
evidenced hereby or any installment due hereunder, made by agreement with any
person now or hereafter liable for payment of the indebtedness evidenced hereby,
shall operate to release, discharge, modify, change or affect the original
liability of Maker hereunder or that of any other person now or hereafter liable
for payment of the indebtedness evidenced hereby, either in whole or in part,
unless Holder agrees otherwise in writing. This Note may not be changed orally,
but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party(ies) against whom
enforcement of any waiver, change, modification or discharge is sought.

                                       2
<PAGE>

         The indebtedness and other obligations evidenced by this Note are
further evidenced by (i) the Plan of Reorganization and (ii) all other documents
evidencing the Holders' security interests and liens on property of Maker.

         All agreements herein made are expressly limited so that in no event
whatsoever shall the amount paid or agreed to be paid to Holder for the use of
the money advanced or to be advanced hereunder exceed the maximum rate of
interest allowed to be charged under applicable law (the "Maximum Rate"). If,
from any circumstances whatsoever, the fulfillment of any provision of this Note
or any other agreement or instrument now or hereafter evidencing, securing or in
any way relating to the indebtedness evidenced hereby shall involve the payment
of interest in excess of the Maximum Rate, then, ipso facto, the obligation to
pay interest hereunder shall be reduced to the Maximum Rate; and if from any
circumstance whatsoever, Holder shall ever receive interest, the amount of which
would exceed the amount collectible at the Maximum Rate, such amount as would be
excessive interest shall be applied to the reduction of the principal balance
remaining unpaid hereunder and not to the payment of interest. This provision
shall control every other provision in any and all other agreements and
instruments existing or hereafter arising between Maker and Holder with respect
to the indebtedness evidenced hereby.

         This Note is intended as a contract under and shall be construed and
enforceable in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, except to the
extent that federal law may be applicable to the determination of the Maximum
Rate.

         Failure by Maker to pay to Agent on behalf of Holders any amounts due
hereunder within ten (10) business days of the due date thereof shall constitute
an Event of Default hereunder.

         MAKER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE AND OF ALL TENNESSEE
STATE COURTS SITTING IN DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY
LITIGATION TO WHICH HOLDER MAY BE A PARTY AND WHICH CONCERNS THIS NOTE. IT IS
FURTHER AGREED THAT VENUE FOR ANY SUCH ACTION SHALL LIE EXCLUSIVELY WITH COURTS
SITTING IN DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

         HOLDER AND MAKER HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WITH THE BENEFIT OF
COUNSEL WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTIONS, PROCEEDINGS, CLAIMS OR
COUNTER-CLAIMS, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY,
ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         As used herein, the terms "Maker" and "Holder" shall be deemed to
include their respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, whether
by voluntary action of the parties or by operation of law.

                                          MAKER:

                                          AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                          a Delaware corporation

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                          a Tennessee corporation

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          DESIGNATED COMPANIES, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AHP FINANCE, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT OF NEW YORK, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                       4
<PAGE>

                                          NATIONAL MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          SOUND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          THE NATIONAL MEDICAL RENTALS, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          NATIONAL I.V., INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT OF ARKANSAS,
                                          INC.,

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT OF NEVADA, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          VOLUNTEER MEDICAL OXYGEN &
                                          HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT CO.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                       5
<PAGE>

                                          ALLEGHENY RESPIRATORY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT OF ILLINOIS, INC.

                                          By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                          Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT OF TEXAS, L.P.,
                                          a Texas limited partnership

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                              its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT OF ILLINOIS,
                                              INC., its limited partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AHP, L.P.,
                                          a Tennessee limited partnership

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                              its general partner

                                       6
<PAGE>

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT OF ILLINOIS,
                                              INC., its  limited partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AHP HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
                                          PARTNERSHIP OF TEXAS,
                                          a Texas general partnership

                                          By: AHP, L.P.,
                                              a general partner

                                              By:    AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                                     its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC., a general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          COLORADO HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
                                          ALLIANCE, LLC,
                                          a Colorado limited liability company

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC., its sole member

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                          NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA ALLIANCE, LLC,
                                          a Pennsylvania limited liability
                                          company

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC. its sole member

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          NORTHWEST WASHINGTON ALLIANCE, LLC,
                                          a Washington limited liability company

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC. its sole member

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AHP HOME CARE ALLIANCE OF TENNESSEE,
                                          a Tennessee general partnership

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                              its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC., its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                          AHP ALLIANCE OF COLUMBIA,
                                          a South Carolina general partnership

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                              its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC., its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AHP KNOXVILLE PARTNERSHIP,
                                          a Tennessee general partnership

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                              its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC., its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                          AHP HOME CARE ALLIANCE OF GAINESVILLE,
                                          a Florida general partnership

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                              its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC., its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          AHP HOME CARE ALLIANCE OF VIRGINIA,
                                          a Virginia general partnership

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT, INC.,
                                              its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                          By: AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT VENTURES,
                                              INC., its general partner

                                              By:    /s/ Robert L. Fringer
                                              Title: Vice President & Secretary

                                       10
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE 1
                                     LENDERS

                                       11

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