CALGARY — Three years ago — before the bottom fell out of the global economy — Canadian business owners were fretting over a serious labour shortage. This was especially true in Western Canada, where many hotels and quick-service restaurants were shortening operating hours to keep their doors open. The labour pool was shallow to say the least.

Then the recession hit, and the shortage got pushed to the backburner, but with Canada clearly in recovery mode, the focus will once again start shifting from issues surrounding the economy to those concerning labour. Make no mistake; a massive demographic-driven shortage still lingers ominously on the horizon.

CALGARY — Canadian beef is once again set to take centre cut in Montreal, at this year’s edition of SIAL (Salon International de l’Alimentation), as the Beef Information Centre is onboard as a major sponsor.

According to BIC, on Thursday, April 22 Chef Marty Carpenter, will host a special Canadian beef culinary demonstration and tasting from 4 to 4:45 p.m. The culinary presentation will focus on the advantages that Canadian beef can offer to restaurateurs and include ideas to provide a unique opportunity to grow business and increase profits.

CALGARY — A recent rash of dangerous food tampering cases has Calgary consumers spooked, as metal shards and push-pins have been turning up in everything from baked goods to ground beef.

According to the CBC, no one has been hurt in some 11 reported cases at city grocery stores since January. The police speculate that the tampering is the work of “idiots” and are taking the matter very seriously, cautioning the public to be vigilant and check their groceries.

CALGARY — The city has given the green light to relocate the Calgary Farmers’ Market from The Currie Barracks to its new location at Blackfoot Centre.

After being booted out of the current space due to pending development and a series of financial and vendor challenges, including the latest concern about parking at 510 77th Avenue S.E., the deal has been sealed. "Another business nearby had some concerns with their vendors and there were some traffic issues. And the City of Calgary and appellants were absolutely wonderful when we sat together and tried to figure out how to fix it, and we did," Ken Aylseworth, a spokesperson for the Calgary Farmers' Market, is quoted by CTV.ca as saying.