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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.

State actor suspected as source of cyberattack on B.C. government networks

State actor suspected as source of cyberattack on B.C. government networks

The province is not saying what state is believed to be involved — only that no sensitive information has been compromised and the rest of the information in the investigation is classified
Drivers to get $110 rebates from ICBC, basic rate to stay same for sixth year

Drivers to get $110 rebates from ICBC, basic rate to stay same for sixth year

The rebates will start going out in late May to all personal and commercial customers who had an active eligible basic insurance policy in February.
Ban on public use may restore compassion for drug users, Our Place official says

Ban on public use may restore compassion for drug users, Our Place official says

Open drug use made the public less empathetic to those who are struggling, says Grant McKenzie of Our Place
Open drug use banned in public places, after Health Canada approves change

Open drug use banned in public places, after Health Canada approves change

The move comes after a public outcry about open drug use in city streets and in hospitals.
Bear & Joey, Cook Street restaurant that opened amid COVID restrictions, shuts its doors

Bear & Joey, Cook Street restaurant that opened amid COVID restrictions, shuts its doors

Bear & Joey couldn’t get past its heavy debt load, says the owner
Applications open for $40M loan program for secondary suites

Applications open for $40M loan program for secondary suites

Homeowners can apply for forgivable loans for as much as half the total cost of renovations, up to a maximum of $40,000, to build basement and garden suites
Recriminalizing drug use will help, but won't stop random violence, Victoria police chief says

Recriminalizing drug use will help, but won't stop random violence, Victoria police chief says

There will still be people “struggling on our streets” with mental illness, addiction, intoxication or anger issues, Del Manak says
Short-term rentals rules in effect; fines to be levied against non-compliant hosts

Short-term rentals rules in effect; fines to be levied against non-compliant hosts

The clock is now ticking on hefty fines for those who don’t fall in line
Four Island Health facilities grapple with flu, norovirus-like outbreaks

Four Island Health facilities grapple with flu, norovirus-like outbreaks

Norovirus-like outbreaks have been declared at Victoria General Hospital and Saanich Peninsula Hospital, while long-term care facilities in Port Alberni and Nanaimo are dealing with Influenza A outbreaks
Pilot project to decriminalize drugs will continue, says Eby

Pilot project to decriminalize drugs will continue, says Eby

While public drug use needs to end, Eby said arresting someone struggling with addiction and taking them to court does not deal with addiction or save lives.
More work by Cindy E. >