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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.

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Recent Work by Cindy E.

Victoria addictions doctor says witnessed drug model won't work for many patients

Victoria addictions doctor says witnessed drug model won't work for many patients

“We’re quite upset as an addiction medicine community at the prospect of having a very useful tool removed from our toolbox,” says Dr. Caroline Ferris
Inquest to be held in April for UVic student who died of toxic-drug poisoning in residence

Inquest to be held in April for UVic student who died of toxic-drug poisoning in residence

First-year student Sidney McIntyre-Starko died January 2024 of cardiac arrest due to fentanyl poisoning while in residence at the University of Victoria
Health Ministry to look into case of Langford girl losing life-saving drug funding

Health Ministry to look into case of Langford girl losing life-saving drug funding

Nine-year-old Charleigh Pollock, who attends Happy Valley School, will soon lose funding for the enzyme replacement infusions she receives for a fatal neurodegenerative disorder called Batten disease.
Rustad post saying Henry promotes fentanyl use puts her at risk: ex-provincial health officer

Rustad post saying Henry promotes fentanyl use puts her at risk: ex-provincial health officer

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad wrote on his X account: “British Columbia already has a fentanyl czar — her name is Doctor Bonnie Henry, and she is focused on promoting fentanyl use in BC”
May to take anti-tariff message to National Prayer Breakfast in Washington

May to take anti-tariff message to National Prayer Breakfast in Washington

Green Party leader says she plans to talk to as many Republican and Democrat politicians as possible
Lake Cowichan set to lose its only two family doctors

Lake Cowichan set to lose its only two family doctors

Mayor Tim McGonigle says both the town’s family physicians will be gone by the start of summer
Furstenau steps down as B.C. Green leader; MLAs say they don't want the job

Furstenau steps down as B.C. Green leader; MLAs say they don't want the job

Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote will become interim leader until a leadership race in September, after Sonia Furstenau failed to win a seat in the last provincial election.
Island Health explores using drones to deliver supplies to remote areas

Island Health explores using drones to deliver supplies to remote areas

An electric, six-bladed hexacopter carried ‘medical supplies’ from a small helipad at North Island Hospital in Courtenay to an adjacent field as part of a demonstration late last year
'So distraught': Blaze destroys autobody shop near Duncan

'So distraught': Blaze destroys autobody shop near Duncan

The fire took six hours to extinguish and at the peak of the blaze 25 firefighters from three departments were on scene.
B.C.'s $1,000 grocery rebates may be on chopping block in efficiency review

B.C.'s $1,000 grocery rebates may be on chopping block in efficiency review

B.C. Premier David Eby said the “No. 1 priority” right now is protecting B.C. families from the U.S. tariff threat.
More work by Cindy E. >