The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole under certain conditions to Brayden Bushby, the individual convicted of manslaughter in the 2017 death of Barbara Kentner in Thunder Bay, Ont. Bushby, who received an eight-year prison sentence five years ago, had his parole decision disclosed by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) on Thursday, as per documents made available to CBC News on Tuesday.
The documents stated that Bushby’s release on full parole was deemed not to pose an undue risk and would aid in societal protection by facilitating his reintegration as a law-abiding citizen. Kentner, a 34-year-old member of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, passed away due to medical complications after being struck by a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle.
Following his sentencing in June 2021, Bushby’s prison term was reduced to seven years and 11 months due to time served, and he is now 27 years old with two children. The decision to grant him full parole has evoked strong reactions from Kentner’s family and the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON), with WLON expressing profound outrage and disbelief at the Parole Board of Canada’s ruling.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), representing 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5, referred to the news of Bushby’s parole as “devastating” for Kentner’s family and the community. During his pre-release hearing, Bushby attributed his actions to alcohol consumption and poor decision-making. The decision to grant him full parole was criticized by NAN, citing a pattern of high-risk behavior exhibited by Bushby.
Bushby must adhere to seven conditions to maintain full parole, including following a treatment plan for substance abuse and mental health, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, and not associating with criminal elements. The parole decision has sparked debates about systemic failures and the need for preventive measures to address violence against Indigenous women.