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Cindy E. Harnett

Cindy E. Harnett

Cindy Harnett is a Times Colonist reporter focused on health.

Cindy is originally from Toronto, where she attended York University and Ryerson University before taking her first newspaper job in northern Ontario, where she learned about forestry, wildlife, block heaters, and snowstorms in May. She has worked as a reporter in Quesnel and a managing editor at Black Press, and has contributed to publications including Maclean’s magazine.

In 2008, Cindy and her Times Colonist colleagues picked up a Jack Webster Best News Reporting of the Year award for coverage of the 2007 Lee family murder-suicide, which highlighted gross inadequacies in domestic violence and child protection services and police co-ordination.

Over the years, Cindy has gravitated to issues of justice, including the 1997 swarming and murder of teenager Reena Virk, the 2012 botched firing of eight B.C. Health Ministry researchers during which one committed suicide, the 2018 toxic drug poisoning death of Elliot Eurchuk, and the 2019 William Head jailbreak that saw two prisoners charged with murder.

Email
ceharnett@timescolonist.com

Recent Work by Cindy E.

Family calls for changes after Victoria man dies hours after being discharged from Royal Jubilee

Family calls for changes after Victoria man dies hours after being discharged from Royal Jubilee

James Zimmer’s family was at the legislature to support proposed changes to improve communication with families of patients in a mental-health crisis
BC United leader says solution to illicit drugs in hospitals is 'just say no'

BC United leader says solution to illicit drugs in hospitals is 'just say no'

Kevin Falcon says he would ban open drug use in hospitals
New streamlined registry aims to speed up attaching patients to family doctors

New streamlined registry aims to speed up attaching patients to family doctors

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the goal is to reach out to everyone on the Health Connect registry at least every three months
Nurses say rules for illicit-drug use in hospitals won't work without enforcement

Nurses say rules for illicit-drug use in hospitals won't work without enforcement

While standardized rules form a task force are welcome, the rules in place now are not being enforced, says the president of the B.C. Nurses Union
Detox and treatment beds to be available to Indigenous youth in Lantzville

Detox and treatment beds to be available to Indigenous youth in Lantzville

Twenty substance-use treatment beds will be available to Indigenous youth age 12 to 18 in renovated space at the Orca Lelum Youth Wellness Centre
Mask mandate in hospitals dropped as vaccine booster program ramps up

Mask mandate in hospitals dropped as vaccine booster program ramps up

The goal of the spring booster campaign is to strengthen waning protection for the most vulnerable
Illicit-drug use by patients at Victoria General Hospital is common, says nurse

Illicit-drug use by patients at Victoria General Hospital is common, says nurse

B.C. Nurses Union steward says nurses are exposed to toxic drug fumes, illicit powders and injury from intoxicated patients
Thousands in B.C. order new HPV mail-in screening tests

Thousands in B.C. order new HPV mail-in screening tests

B.C. has been a world leader in cervical cancer prevention for decades, said B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix
After three hospital stays in hallways, he fears going back

After three hospital stays in hallways, he fears going back

Between December and March, the Sooke resident had three lengthy stays — spending 10 to 14 days in the hallway each time.
Driver injured in 'horrific' crash is determined to return to work

Driver injured in 'horrific' crash is determined to return to work

David Bruun, 34, was the driver of a pickup truck that was hit in the Douglas and Bay streets intersection by a speeding car that ran a red light
More work by Cindy E. >