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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.

Byelections in the cards after three Island municipal councillors elected as MLAs

Byelections in the cards after three Island municipal councillors elected as MLAs

Three municipal councillors on Vancouver Island were elected to provincial office in the 2024 provincial election, which triggers byelections for local government in the new year.
Surgical robot coming to Victoria hospitals this year

Surgical robot coming to Victoria hospitals this year

The foundation is fundraising for a 10-year robotics program and system upgrades that will first be used in urology
Eby says fall sitting planned, but no legislation; NDP to meet with Greens

Eby says fall sitting planned, but no legislation; NDP to meet with Greens

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said Premier David Eby has been calling his members “looking for someone to become Speaker for them.”  
Early-result mistake for Green candidate due to human error: Elections B.C.

Early-result mistake for Green candidate due to human error: Elections B.C.

On election night, with 27 of 29 polls reporting, Elections B.C.’s website erroneously showed the Greens’ Lisa Gunderson ahead of the Conservative candidate because of a data-entry error
Doctors seek end to sick-note requirement for short illnesses

Doctors seek end to sick-note requirement for short illnesses

The Canadian Medical Association says the notes are taking up too much of physicians’ time during a shortage of family doctors.
Furstenau talks to Eby but not Rustad amid possible balance-of-power role for Greens

Furstenau talks to Eby but not Rustad amid possible balance-of-power role for Greens

Green Leader Sonia Furstenau didn’t rule out working with the Conservatives, but made it clear in a Wednesday news conference that she’s not impressed with Rustad’s leadership so far
As record number line up for shots, Henry says her role to serve whatever government is in power

As record number line up for shots, Henry says her role to serve whatever government is in power

The first day of flu and COVID shots set a single-day record, with 82,000 shots administered through B.C. pharmacies
Green leader left with no seat as NDP retains Victoria-Beacon Hill

Green leader left with no seat as NDP retains Victoria-Beacon Hill

Sonia Furstenau had relocated to Victoria this year after two terms representing the Cowichan Valley, but is now a leader without a seat.
Election results could come within an hour of polls closing

Election results could come within an hour of polls closing

Once polls close, electronic tabulators will produce paper results that will be phoned in to the district electoral office, where officials will enter the results for publication on Elections B.C.’s website
B.C. election: Critics see lots of promises but little structural change for health care

B.C. election: Critics see lots of promises but little structural change for health care

Health-care leaders and policy researchers, worry the daily barrage of promises doesn’t reflect economic realities or “less sexy” structural health-care reforms that are needed
More work by Cindy E. >