BROCCOLINI Employees Newsletter December 2013
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Life is like a roller coaster... It has its ups and downs It doesn’t matter if you sit in the front or back It’s more fun when we’re on this ride together
The
BROCCOLINIWay
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A WORD FROM ANTHONY
4 - 7
THE BROCCOLINI FAMILY
8 - 11 MONTREAL NEWS 12 - 13 OTTAWA NEWS 14 - 15 TORONTO NEWS
16 - 19 THE STORIES BEHIND OUR PROJECTS 20 - 21 CURRENT AND COMING SOON PROJECTS 22 HEALTH AND SAFETY 23 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
D
D
TOWARD NEW HORIZONS
ear Colleagues, We are quickly approaching the end of 2013 and I wish to reflect on this past year. I must confess, we have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride. We have experienced many ups and downs and shared in many strong emotions together. Please appreciate that we are becoming increasingly aware of our current climate. The employee survey has revealed a great deal. In the past few years, many changes have taken place and I recognize that this is not always comfortable for everyone. For the first time in Broccolini history, we set out to create a much more structured organization. We defined the roles and responsibilities for each person and initiated what is now a more formal evaluation process, taking into consideration each of the particular objectives. Some 50 new employees joined the various teams in 2013. The newcomers required training, integration and support... not always easy during a period of rapid growth such as we are experiencing. Many projects in Construction and Real Estate proved to be exciting but this also imposed extensive work hours on countless individuals. Many of our administrative policies and procedures were standardized; some still need to be revised. And what about the upcoming move for Montreal Headquarters, a Broccolini success story...we will soon be moving to our new office! However, this milestone has been ushered in during a very hectic year and we are mindful of this! Our company mission is clear, we build and develop remarkable buildings. But, mostly, we wish to build long lasting relationships with our partners, our customers and, more importantly, our team! Employee satisfaction at work matters to us deeply. Broccolini is now a bigger family and I would like to see our people happy every day. It is why we have implemented new programs to foster positive change and improve communications. We kicked off the «Town Halls, the “Huddles” and “Weekly Check-ins.” We published our newsletter The Broccolini Way, we launched our Corporate Values Program, we better identified peoples’ roles through our job descriptions and job scorecards and we carried out an anonymous Employee Satisfaction Survey. We still have plenty of work ahead but we have built a solid framework on which we can shape our future. I wish everyone the greatest of success in 2014. Guided by our values, together, let’s look at how we can build a better, stronger company with a satisfying work environment where we may all flourish. Anthony Broccolini
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THE
BROCCOLINI FAMILY
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CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTIE Dear Christie,
Congratulations on your 25 years service at Broccolini. I’ve known Christie since I was 17 years old. That’s 38 years… we went thru CEGEP and University together where we shared a cockroach infested apartment in downtown Montreal. Christie in those bachelor days, was a big time skier, windsurfer, and …. ladies man. Christie actually met his wife while he was working as a site super for the renovation of the Cavendish mall for BCI. I met my wife at a Christmas party in his basement!
Christie was a genius in school. No matter how difficult the calculus or physics problems, Christie understood them immediately. The fact that he did not appear to be paying attention or working hard at it made the teachers go nuts. He helped many of us get thru University with his study sessions. We graduated from McGill in December of 1980 we have worked together at Divco for 2 years and for a few years in Algeria with Fitzpatrick. I came back to Montreal in July of 1986 to start a family and find a job, and Christie went travelling the world for 18 months, came back and worked for Belcourt for a year or 2. I found a job with a small GC and in August of 1988 I got a phone call from John Broccolini asking me if I would come and work for BCI. I said no at the time. Christie returned from his travels
YEARS
and asked me who was looking for people, and I suggested Broccolini. John B hired Christie as a site super. John B and Joe B were both working as PM’s in those days. Christie was site super at the Beaubien job for John and the 5950 Cote des Neiges job for Joe. Christie has worked on close to 70 different projects for BCI from the small renovations to the $100 million and plus, the EDC tower in Ottawa, the CTC Distribution Center at Coteau-duLac, the Target Distribution Center in Cornwall. Mels Phase 1, 2, 3, Hagen, etc…. probably close to $750 million dollar value. Christie we thank you for your devotion to Broccolini. You make it happen everytime… Your friend and co-worker Nick I.
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CELEBRATING EMPLOYEE MILESTONES
15
YEARS
THANK YOU FRANCE France is Broccolini’s Construction Subtrade accountant. She is an accounting guru. France eats and digests numbers. She works intimately with all the PM’s and their teams. She juggles many personalities; she receives and deals with hundreds of invoices and calls every day. She is a great ally to the Project Managers, having all subtrades files properly accounted for. She knows the subs files and ensures that we are never overpaying or getting ourselves into trouble! Thanks for your extremely hard work and devotion these last 15 years. You have helped Broccolini grow and have contributed to our success. You are honest, hard working, true to your word and a good dancer!!!
THANK YOU EDDY Eddy was originally hired as a right guard on the Broccolini, now defunct, football team. When the team folded, he was assigned to a PC role at BCI, to help with the building of the many Canadian Tire stores. Eddy was a quick learner, and developed a great relationship with Canadian Tire and ended up building 10 or so stores as a PM. Eddy developed the same relationship with THE BRICK and became the BCI “BRICK” guy. Eddy built the interior for Bristol Myers Squibb new head office in St. Laurent, the Maple Soft Cancer Center in Ottawa and the CAE cafeteria, all challenging but delivered with
compliments. Eddy is one of those guys that will jump into no matter what project you give him. Eddy is part of that group of PM’s who started with the company when they were fresh out of school, single with no kids. They got married, had kids all with the Broccolini team around them. Eddy enjoys a good joke and his strong family values mesh extremely well with those of BCI’s. Eddy, thanks for making Broccolini your career choice and we are extremely happy that you have been with us for 15 years and hopefully many, many more.
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5
YEARS
ANNIE TEBBS - January 21, 2008
OLIVIER CHARTRAND - April 15, 2008
WELCOME ALL NEW EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE MAY - JORDANO SERIO Project Coordinator
- PATRICK LECLERC Project Coordinator
JUNE
- ANNE-MARIE FONDACARO Executive Assistant
- SIMON DE GROOT Vice-President-Construction (TO)
- DELIS LUS District Manager (TO)
- DOUGLAS GERAGHTY Foreman
- PAUL PAQUETTE Prevention Agent
- JONATHAN FILIATREAULT Project Coordinator
- DAVID HILF Vice-President-Residential Development
- ERIC FAUCHER Prevention Agent
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- PIERRE BERNIER Superintendant
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- ANDREW BURNETT Project Coordinator
- SAMANTHA TRUMBLEY Project Manager (TO) JULY - PAT LAUZON Senior Estimator - HILARY JONES Project Coordinator - JAY SHANMUGAM Site Superintendent (TO)
JOHN DABARNO - March 3, 2008
VERONICA TICKNOR - March 31, 2008
EMILY MITTMANN - October 20, 2008
HELENE SENECHAL - December 8, 2008
JOINED BROCCOLINI SINCE 1st MAY 2013 AUGUST - LEARZI ANN ILAO Project Coordinator - JENNIFER OHANA Assistant Real Estate Leasing SEPTEMBER - ANDREANNA JAKYMEC Project Administrative Assistant - ALEXANDRA CARLE Office Technician (Part time)
- JULIE SMITH Client Design Services Manager OCTOBER - AMY LOURENÇO Legal Counsel - AARON BRUNO Project Manager (TO) - ADRIANA DELIMA Executive Assistant (TO) - CHRIS PRIEST Assistant Superintendent (TO)
NOVEMBER - MARIE-ÈVE EL AYOUTI Project Administrative Assistant - ARIS DALAKIS Project Manager (TO) - NICHOLAS PECHEY Project Coordinator (TO) - LUKASZ KOWALCZUK Assistant Superintendent (TO) DECEMBER - COREY JONES Regional Health & Safety Manager (TO) The BROCCOLINI Way
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MONT Just weeks away from our big move, the Montreal office is experiencing a metamorphosis. Boxes are being distributed and, of course, excitement is building.
WHERE IS CLIFF? Cliff has found refuge elsewhere following the major renovations to his office. We found Cliff in “Mr B’s” office!
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TOWNHALL Last June, the Montreal Broccolini team appreciated the views from the 5th and the 6th storeys of our future head office. Excellent BBQ, great presentations and distribution of Nick’s famous “SURVIVAL KIT”
TREAL NEWS TONY – OUR NEW « SECURITY GUARD » Tony’s office is temporarily behind our main entrance door. A perfect space to observe the comings and goings. The BROCCOLINI Way
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NOW I RUN FOR
A GOOD CAUSE
« I have always enjoyed running. I run 5 days a week, from 5 to 7 kms a day. I am proud to say I ran and completed my first marathon at age 49 (I am now 52). This fuelled me going forward. More recently, my niece Giullianna was born with Prader Willi Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects infants and manifests itself through physical, developmental and behavioral challenges. Now, I run for a cause: The Prader Willi Foundation funds medical and scientific research. I have since run 2 half-marathons (21k) and 2 full marathons (42k). Raising money for the foundation is my new goal and this is what inspires me to continue. Thank you to all my supporters. » Mike Del Cane, Chef at Broccolini
MONTRE CONGRATULATIONS Émilie and Olivier smiling on their wedding day, July 20, 2013
VOLLEYBALL « I would like to thank Natalie Doucet for helping out as much as she did, Domenic & Eric for their unwavering enthusiasm which helped keep the sport going week to week, and finally everyone who played which allowed us all to have a great time and stay active and healthy. The season will resume next spring when the weather warms up and we’re entertaining ideas to find actual sand courts, inviting other companies to join, and incorporating food afterwards. Stay tuned! As well, if you have ideas for activities in the winter season, please let me know. » Donovan Macintyre
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Friendly Volleyball games every Tuesday after work
LARGEST GATHERING OF BROCCOLINI SITE SUPERS IN HISTORY An informative and good time was had by all 36 attendants!!!!!!! This was the largest gathering of site supers in BCI history. The street was invaded with Broccolini trucks.
Montreal Site Superintendants meeting held on Tuesday June 18th at Nick’s house.
AL NEWS THANK YOU!
« I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and donation. We left Toronto with a great send-off from one of the kids who had lost a leg to bone cancer. She led the pace line on her bike through downtown Toronto. It was very moving and inspirational. I also had the opportunity to meet some amazing and dedicated people during this journey for which we all had the same goal in mind; to raise money for kids with cancer. A total of $275,000 was raised. » Mary Safar
Mary upon her arrival in Montreal on August 9th
ANYTHING TO
MAKE IT HAPPEN TARGET CANDLELIGHT WORK Electricity went out on July 4th! … and Alexandre Bolduc made excellent use of the Broccolini Survival Kit given to employees on June 14th at our TownHall meeting.
Thanks to all the devoted employees who worked on the Target projects. Emily makes use of an extended work place.
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AMAZING RACE The Amazing Race organized last summer was a great success – full of injuries, body failures, (mild) cheating, triumph and defeat. Anthony joined us in running around Ottawa deciphering clues, constructing egg baskets, weighing candy, organizing pennies and ultimately sharing a drink. The team of James Beach, Terry Glavin and Patrick Blundon won by a narrow margin.
OTTA FAMILY PICNIC The family picnic was unfortunately marred by mischievous criminal activity and a high stakes BBQ utensil robbery. We still managed to have a good time. Future family day events will require high surveillance.
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PAINT BALL After a little BBQ, we enjoyed a couple of games against ourselves‌ then it kicked into high gear when we took on a large group of children.
AWA NEWS
HOPE
BEACH We are calling this the funniest event of Broccolini Ottawa so far this year! Refreshments, melon, sand, music ‌ and general team camaraderie made it more than a work event but a great day with friends.
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WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR TRADES On September 28th, Broccolini hosted its first Toronto Trade Appreciation Event at the Woodbine Race Track. Over 100 guests participated in this evening aimed at developing even better relationships with the different trades.
TORO PARK TOWNS CONDOS
SOLD OUT Interested buyers seized the opportunity in August 2013 to purchase townhomes at Park Towns Bayview and Sheppard. All 50 units in the new complex sold out within mere hours of their release. Located in one of Toronto’s most inviting neighbourhoods, Park Towns is the only urban townhouse development in the area, a key factor in attracting such widespread interest from prospective owners. “We believe the sheer speed at which residences sold out demonstrates the strength of this market, particularly when consumers are presented with quality products and such remarkable value” said Broccolini Vice President, Business Development and Finance, Michael Broccolini.
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ONTO NEWS
June 21st - Go Karting followed by a great meal at WEGZ, sports bar in Vaughan, Ontario
A FUN AFTERNOON OF
GO-KARTING The Broccolini Toronto Team is growing rapidly. What an excellent way to get to know one another better than doing a team building activity. Everyone had a wonderful time. As well, Ann Laviolette, Health and Safety Officer, was in Toronto and joined along!
From left to right: Simon de Groot, Angelo Romano, Phil Brennan
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THE STORIES BEHIND
OUR PROJECTS
«
BUILDING A BUILDING IS OFTEN THE EASIEST STEP IN OUR BUSINESS. LEADING UP TO IT, THERE IS A PROCESS OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AT BROCCOLINI, APPROVALS ARE SOUGHT AT THE MUNICIPAL AND VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, AND THERE IS NEED TO BE PATIENT AND THOROUGH IN OUR APPROACH. THE PROJECTS IN GATINEAU ARE WRAPPING UP THIS YEAR, BUT REQUIRED TWO YEARS OF PREPARATION BEFORE PUTTING A SHOVEL IN THE GROUND. FURTHERMORE, 22 EDDY WILL WELCOME ITS LAST TENANTS JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD. NICK IWANOWSKI, V.-P. CONSTRUCTION
THE
»
FRANK LYMAN STORY
SURPRISE: A BURIED PIPE!
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During the sale transaction of the land to Frank Lyman, the notary made a discovery: a pipe was found buried in the ground with a servitude in favor of the Aéroport de Montréal (ADM). Steps have been taken with the City of Dorval and ADM to rectify the situation. Ultimately, this pipe was unused and has been removed.
THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND
BROWN SNAKES
MOTHER NATURE INTERFERES
During the construction of an industrial building, and pursuant to section 32 and sub-section 22, the Ministry of Environment must confirm whether the soil is considered to be wetlands, and verify that no flowing water is on the land in question. We need this approval in order to connect to the City’s infrastructure. This process raised a concern: are there brown snakes on the site? So for a month, brown snake traps were placed on the land. EUREKA ... no snakes caught during this period! But it is an unexpected delay on the construction schedule.
LOOK
THE CITY OF POINTE-CLAIRE APPROVES THE
The City must approve signs on the site and the exterior finish of the building. This takes some time as well. Also, given the distinctive character the client was seeking in the exterior finish, we had to go to the town of Pointe Claire and request a waiver and obta in the necessary permits.
Obviously, we must not forget all the challenges that Mother Nature brings us and with which the construction department faces (rain, cold, wind and soon snow) all without unduly causing delivery delays.
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THE STORIES BEHIND
OUR PROJECTS
«
WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE GREAT TALENT AT BROCCOLINI. WHEN A PROBLEM ARISES IN THE STEPS LEADING TO CONSTRUCTION, WE USE THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MANY PEOPLE WITHIN OUR TEAMS TO FIND SOLUTIONS. THAT’S WHAT REALLY BRINGS MEANING TO OUR PROMISE: WE MAKE IT HAPPEN. THE «WE» IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT REFERS TO THE COLLECTIVE KNOW-HOW AT BROCCOLINI.
»
ROGER PLAMONDON, SENIOR V.-P. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITIONS
THE
TENAQUIP
STORY
AN EASY
ALE?
BUT WAIT, THERE’S A STREAM!
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It’s been two years since we sold Tenaquip a piece of land belonging to the town of Senneville. Tenaquip has also commissed us to build an industrial building. So work began. While we were leveling the ground, all STOP! The Ministry of Environment sent us a notice to cease work. A stream had once been observed on the land, passing directly through the center of it! To remedy this situation, Broccolini offered the Ministry the following two solutions. Detour the flow of water to pass along the perimeter of the ground and not in the middle. Develop the shore of an island near the site in Lake Of Two Mountains and track it for the next five years.
AND
INTERVENES ...
The Ministry of Transport has decided to mark a «reserved» section of the land where the site of the building was planned. This section is being reserved for the future expansion of the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge that connects Senneville and Vaudreuil. We had to change our layout of the site and somehow move the building so as not to encroach on the «reserved» area in question.
WHO
CAN REMOVE THE SNOW?
This piece of land borders provincial roads. We need to find a snow removal company that has the appropriate license to plow and can work on these non-municipal roads.
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WE MAKE IT HAPPEN CURRENT PROJECTS
FRANK LYMAN - Industrial - Pointe Claire
THE SLATER CONDOS - Residentiel - Ottawa
L’AVENUE CONDOS - Residentiel & Office - Montreal
MERCK SOUTH - Office - Montréal
QUARTIER ÉVOLUTION - Office - Kirkland
PREMIUM OUTLETS - Retail - Mirabel
LES PROMENADES DE L’OUTAOUAIS - Retail - Gatineau
ERIN MILLS TOWN CENTRE - Retail - Toronto
CATHEDRAL HILL - Residentiel - Ottawa
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The achievement of all these projects requires the contribution of all Broccolini departments. Without the collaboration of our different services, we could not have achieved the the success we know today. We take this opportunity to thank you as a group and individually for your pride and passion, your collaboration, your entrepreneurial spirit and your integrity.
PROJECTS COMING SOON
TECHNOPARC 3 Ville St-Laurent - Montreal
PARK TOWNS - Residentiel - Ottawa
ADM - Industrial - Montréal
155 REDPATH - Residentiel - Toronto
BASS PRO SHOPS - Retail - Ottawa
TENAQUIP - Industrial - Montréal
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
CRYSTALLINE
SILICA By ÉRIC FAUCHER Health and Safety Officer
Over the past ten years, crystalline silica has held second place in the ranking of deaths from toxic dust, immediately following asbestos. Silicosis is one of the occupational lung diseases that are recognized by the CSST, after occupational asthma and asbestosis. It is irreversible and can lead to disability and death. In 2012, 48 construction workers died from a disease caused by asbestos or silica dust. WHAT IS CRYSTALLINE SILICA AND WHERE DO WE FIND IT? Quartz is a form of crystalline silica. Naturally present in the sand and rock, it is the most common mineral in the world. Generally speaking, the silica is amorphous (inert) and poses no health problems, but through the process of cutting or polishing marble, concrete, stone, granite, brick, mortar and various hard-containing materials, it becomes dust in the air. The dust is very fine and can enter deep into the lungs; in fact, it is so fine that it is invisible except under a microscope. ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH Silica dust accumulates in the lungs of workers for many years without any impact on their health. Thereafter, nodules form in the lungs and cause very serious breathing symptoms such as inflammation in the lungs, coughing, mucus and shortness of breath. In addition, some people develop cancer. We regularly and consistently discover a dozen new cases of silicosis per year in Quebec. Between 2004 and 2008, the CSST recognized 157 cases of silicosis. VARIABILITY IN EXPOSURE COMPLICATES THE SITUATION The standard is that there should not be more than 0.1 mg per cubic meter of breathable crystalline silica as quartz in the air for
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workers over a period of eight hours per day, according to a 40-hour work week. This current standard is referred to as the «value-weighted average exposure” (TWA) by Regulations on Health and Safety (ROHS). What complicates matters is that the work is not always the same, so neither are the emissions of crystalline silica. Another major difficulty: the dust is so fine and light that it remains suspended in the air for a long time and can go any place where wind and air can move. Once it is landed, it can easily be re-scattered by being walked on, passing a broom over it or cleaning a horizontal surface. Need I remind you that this dust is invisible and we breathe it without noticing? All these challenges must be overcome if we want to protect the health of workers. Several precautions should be imposed, the use of water when cutting and polishing, vacuuming dust at source with efficient equipment, wearing an appropriate mask, maintaining and continuously dusting the workplace, etc. THE RESULTS OF FOUR YEARS OF ZERO TOLERANCE IN CONSTRUCTION In 2008, CSST implemented a program of zero tolerance that affected particular silica on all construction sites in Quebec. The application of this zero tolerance program caused several major changes in the daily lives of workers and contractors. Thus, we see more and more workers wearing personal protective equipment. Employers are now striving to provide modified equipment and tools that have either a water supply or exhaust ventilation. For example, masons have consequently developed their own tool, lightweight and flexible, which can cut the brick and cinderblock dry with an attachment to capture dust. Wind and air currents on a construction site disperse silica dust everywhere, which is why we should be extra careful with our methods of containment. Improvements since 2008 on working methods and equipment will not have an impact in the short term but our goal is to see a reduction in the overall number of construction workers who fall victim to silicosis.
COMMUNITY
BROCCOLINI, PROUD CONTRIBUTOR TO KIRKLAND’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, PLANTS 21 TREES IN THE COMMUNITY
The trees, varying in diameter from 80mm to 250mm, were planted last September along rue du Merlot in Kirkland. Broccolini has donated these trees to the City for its residents and visitors to the area to admire and enjoy. « We are pleased to see that a company in Kirkland is so actively involved in the development and enhancement of our community. It is with the participation and involvement of all stakeholders in the City that we can contribute to the environmental sustainability of our community and meet the needs of present and future generations », said outgoing Mayor John Meaney.
Anthony Broccolini, COO at Broccolini and grandson to the founder, is delighted to have future generations see these trees grow. « The City of Kirkland has special significance for Broccolini as it is home to our Head Office; it seems only fitting for us to participate in this community’s sustainable development program. »
WE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH The 21st Annual Jewish General Hospital Silver Star Mercedes-Benz Golf Tournament was held on June 3. Many Broccolini employees attended this tournament which was followed by a Gala evening. The Broccolini Family was honored during the Gala for their involvement and community support. The event raised over $2 million and benefited the Centre of Excellence for Vascular Diseases.
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Our best wishes for health and happiness in the New Year
The BROCCOLINI Way is published by the Communications and Marketing department. For comments and suggestions please communicate with Caroline CrĂŞte.