The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole with conditions to Brayden Bushby, the man convicted of manslaughter in the death of Barbara Kentner in Thunder Bay, Ont., in 2017. Bushby, who was sentenced to eight years in prison five years ago, had his parole decision made on Thursday.
According to documents obtained by CBC News on Tuesday, the Parole Board of Canada considered various factors, including file information, victim details, recommendations from the Correctional Service of Canada, and the oral presentation during the panel hearing. The board determined that releasing Bushby on full parole would not pose undue risk and would aid in his reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.
Barbara Kentner, a 34-year-old member of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, passed away due to medical complications following an incident where she was struck by a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle. Bushby, now 27 years old and a father of two, was initially sentenced in June 2021, with his prison term reduced to seven years and 11 months considering time served.
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation expressed outrage at the parole decision, emphasizing the ongoing discrimination within Canada’s justice system. Nishnawbe Aski Nation also condemned the decision as devastating news for Kentner’s family and the community, highlighting concerns about reintegration suitability and societal risks.
Bushby’s parole conditions include participation in treatment programs, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, avoiding criminal associations, and refraining from contact with Kentner’s family. The decision to grant full parole has sparked criticism and raised questions about systemic failures in addressing violence against Indigenous women.