Ottawa is rolling out its Summer Jobs program for students. Employers are being encouraged to apply for funding now. Vancouver Island North M-P John Duncan says applications have to be submitted by the end of this month. Employers can apply online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca. Applications are also available at any Service Canada Centre.

          Canada will kick off four months of celebrations for Queen Elizabeth. Monday marks the queen's 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Canada will host a royal visit  in May by Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.

          Several health organizations have banded together calling for a province-wide lawn and garden pesticide ban. They've launched an advertising campaign that urges people to support the initiative. Canadian Cancer Society's Kathryn Seely says recent polls have shown that a majority of people in B-C favour a ban. Seely says three other provinces - Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia - have moved to ban pesticides.

          This is Burn Awareness Week in B-C. Tim Baillie, chair of the B-C Fire Fighter's Burn Fund, says some of the worst burns are caused by hot water. Baillie says burns to children can be prevented by turning down the heat on your hot water tank and ensuring the handles of pots and pans on the kitchen stove are turned inward.