The Parole Board of Canada has granted Brayden Bushby, the man convicted of manslaughter in the 2017 death of Barbara Kentner in Thunder Bay, Ont., full parole with conditions. This decision, revealed in documents obtained by CBC News, follows Bushby serving five years of an eight-year prison sentence. The Board’s evaluation concluded that releasing Bushby on full parole does not pose an undue risk and supports his reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.
Barbara Kentner, a member of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, succumbed to medical complications months after being hit by a trailer hitch thrown at her from a passing vehicle. Bushby, now 27 with two children, received his sentence in June 2021, which was reduced to seven years and 11 months due to time served.
Bushby’s parole history includes being first granted day parole in August 2023, which was revoked in July 2024 for breaching conditions. He was subsequently granted day parole for six months in December 2025 and received a three-month extension in June 2026 at a community-based residential facility that also offers substance abuse treatment.
The decision to grant Bushby full parole has sparked outrage from Kentner’s family and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, condemning the move as a painful reminder of systemic discrimination within Canada’s justice system. Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) also expressed disappointment, highlighting concerns about Bushby’s risk behavior and the message his release sends.
Additionally, Bushby’s tattoo of a Confederate flag and involvement in various incidents, including a minor vehicle collision, have raised further questions about his suitability for full parole. The Parole Board’s conditions for his release include following a treatment plan, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, avoiding criminal associations, and refraining from contacting Kentner’s family.
The parole decision has reignited discussions on systemic failures in addressing violence against Indigenous women, with calls for concrete actions to prevent such tragedies in the future. Support services are available for those affected by missing and murdered Indigenous people, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues beyond mere awareness.
