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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.

Spike in B.C. fire deaths sparks smoke-alarm campaign

Spike in B.C. fire deaths sparks smoke-alarm campaign

Reported fire deaths doubled to 59 in 2021 from 28 in 2019, then rose again to 86 last year
Monkeypox vaccine appointments available on Vancouver Island

Monkeypox vaccine appointments available on Vancouver Island

Anyone who received a first dose of IMVAMUNE (Mpox) vaccine at least 28 days ago is eligible for and encouraged to receive a second dose, says Island Health.
Health leaders reject allegation 'safe supply' adds to drug deaths

Health leaders reject allegation 'safe supply' adds to drug deaths

“We have been concerned about this increasingly polarized rhetoric that is not informed by evidence,” says chief coroner Lisa Lapointe
Pharmacists now prescribing medication for minor ailments

Pharmacists now prescribing medication for minor ailments

The College of Pharmacists of B.C. says three-quarters of the 4,200 pharmacists who work in communities have completed a 40-minute online training that allows them to prescribe medications for 21 minor ailments
New cancer centre coming to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

New cancer centre coming to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

Cancer patients north of the Malahat on Vancouver Island must currently travel to Victoria for many treatments, including radiation therapy.
Breast-cancer patient who waited four months for radiation wishes she'd had U.S. option

Breast-cancer patient who waited four months for radiation wishes she'd had U.S. option

Mary Ann Cummings says she would have opted for free radiation treatment in the U.S., something offered to other breast cancer patients in B.C. this month, if she’d had the opportunity.
Esquimalt doctor limits her practice to those 50 and older

Esquimalt doctor limits her practice to those 50 and older

Dr. Sarah Truelson, one of five physicians with family practices at Esquimalt Medical Clinic, told patients she needs to reduce the size of her practice, citing a family crisis and lack of locums
ER doctors called on to fill shifts at short-handed Saanich Peninsula Hospital

ER doctors called on to fill shifts at short-handed Saanich Peninsula Hospital

If 16 open shifts in late May and June go unfilled, overnight closures may be required, says an ER physician
Premier offers support to municipalities trying to ban public drug use

Premier offers support to municipalities trying to ban public drug use

While he argued previously that municipalities already have tools to address public drug use, the premier says he’s heard from some mayors that those tools are not as effective as they could be
Breast and prostate cancer patients waiting for radiation will have cross-border option

Breast and prostate cancer patients waiting for radiation will have cross-border option

Patients will be offered the choice of going to one of two clinics in Bellingham — at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Centre and the North Cascade Cancer Centre — starting May 29.
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