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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.

B.C. NDP still trying to get "BC" added to Conservative name

B.C. NDP still trying to get "BC" added to Conservative name

Since ballots have already been printed, the NDP is expected to ask that Elections BC use the full name on any future literature, publications and communications.
'I intend to win': B.C. Green leader undaunted in battle for NDP stronghold

'I intend to win': B.C. Green leader undaunted in battle for NDP stronghold

Sonia Furstenau, who previously represented the Cowichan Valley, is set to do battle in Victoria-Beacon Hill, after moving back to Victoria to be closer to family
B.C. NDP have most women candidates, B.C. Conservatives the fewest

B.C. NDP have most women candidates, B.C. Conservatives the fewest

Proportion of candidates who are women in provincial election: 60% for B.C. NDP , 45% for B.C. Green, 25% for B.C. Conservative
'We're going all in': NDP leader says it's important to try bold policies to tackle complex issues

'We're going all in': NDP leader says it's important to try bold policies to tackle complex issues

Whether it’s in housing, health or the drug crisis, David Eby says what fuels him is “actually being able to solve problems with people.”
Island Health on hunt for facilities for hard-to-house patients now in long-term care homes

Island Health on hunt for facilities for hard-to-house patients now in long-term care homes

Nurses says patients with mental-health, substance-use and behavioural issues in need of around-the-clock medical care pose a risk to the frail elderly
Only a few hundred people likely to need involuntary care under new plan: psychiatrist

Only a few hundred people likely to need involuntary care under new plan: psychiatrist

Dr. Daniel Vigo says only about 2,500 people in B.C. have a combination of mental illness, substance use and brain injury, and even fewer are “extremely intractably disturbed”
Harm-reduction supplies still available at hospitals where kiosks removed: Island Health

Harm-reduction supplies still available at hospitals where kiosks removed: Island Health

The province is reviewing the kiosks, which were intended to provide an option for those who wouldn’t or couldn’t seek in-person services
Almost 250,000 B.C. patients matched with doctors through registry: province

Almost 250,000 B.C. patients matched with doctors through registry: province

The Health Connect registry for patients and a second one for physicians were launched in July 2023
Involuntary care coming for those with severe mental illness, addiction: Eby

Involuntary care coming for those with severe mental illness, addiction: Eby

The care targets those struggling with three concurrent issues: mental illness, severe brain injury caused by repeated overdoses, and addiction to opioids or crystal meth
Victoria chief says police handing off mental-health patients at hospital face hours-long waits

Victoria chief says police handing off mental-health patients at hospital face hours-long waits

Del Manak says the problem could be solved in part by provincial legislation to give security guards in hospitals special constable status.
More work by Cindy E. >