The Erasure of Barbara Kentner: Why Brayden Bushby's Parole is a Systemic Failure
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The decision to grant full parole to a man convicted of manslaughter in the death of an Indigenous woman exposes a justice system that treats victims as disposable.
Q: Who is Brayden Bushby, and what was his role in the death of Barbara Kentner?
A: Brayden Bushby is a man convicted of manslaughter in the death of Barbara Kentner. According to CityNews Toronto, in January 2017, while Kentner—a 34-year-old member of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation—was walking on a street in Thunder Bay, Ontario, with her sister, Bushby (who was 18 at the time) threw a trailer hitch from a moving vehicle. The object struck Kentner in the stomach, and she died several months later due to medical complications resulting from the assault. CBC News reports that Bushby was sentenced in 2021, and CityNews Toronto notes he received nearly eight years in prison for manslaughter, minus time served.
Q: What is the current legal status of Brayden Bushby?
A: Per reports from CBC News, the 27-year-old Brayden Bushby was granted full parole with conditions on August 13, 2026, following a decision by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC).
Q: Why are the family of Barbara Kentner and First Nation leaders protesting this decision?
A: The protest, which took place on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, August 31, 2026, centered on the belief that the justice system has failed the victims. Connie Kentner, sister of Barbara Kentner, told media that the family feels failed by a system meant to respect victims of crime. She expressed concern that Indigenous women and girls are watching to see if the justice system will protect them or if their voices matter. Caludent Commanda, a supporter of the family, told CityNews Toronto that Barbara Kentner is another statistic of murdered and missing Indigenous women and stated that the PBC and Canada's justice system must be held accountable.
Q: What is the history of Bushby's parole attempts and violations?
A: According to CBC News and CityNews Toronto, Bushby's path to release has been marked by instability: * **August 2023:** He was granted day parole. * **July 2024:** His day parole was revoked after the PBC determined he violated various conditions. CityNews Toronto reports these violations included failing a breathalyzer test during a traffic stop (violating a prohibition on alcohol), failing to remain at the scene after reversing a car into another vehicle, and being a suspect in a car theft investigation. * **December 2025:** He was granted day parole again for six months, though full parole was denied at that time. * **June 2026:** The PBC extended his day parole. * **August 2026:** He was granted full parole.
Q: Are there reports of Bushby's behavior while in federal corrections?
A: Yes. CBC News notes that PBC records indicate Bushby had a Confederate flag tattoo and was seen carving a swastika into the grass of a federal facility.
Q: How did the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) justify the decision to grant full parole?
A: Documents from the PBC, obtained by CBC News, state that releasing Bushby on full parole would not pose "undue risk" and would "contribute to the protection of society" by helping him reintegrate as a "law-abiding citizen."
Q: What are the allegations regarding the PBC's communication with the Kentner family?
A: Connie Kentner stated that the family was not informed beforehand by the PBC that Bushby would be granted full parole. CBC News previously reported that the family was also not informed when he received day parole in August 2023. In response, a PBC spokesperson told CBC News that some family members may not have been aware of the need to register with the PBC or the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to receive information. The PBC stated they have since reached out to a family representative to offer assistance with registration.
Q: What is the PBC's official stance on its assessment process?
A: A spokesperson for the PBC told CBC News that board members undergo extensive training to perform risk-based assessments, which incorporate trauma-informed approaches and anti-racism measures. The spokesperson also expressed "sincere sympathy" for the harm and loss suffered by the Kentner family.
Q: What systemic changes are First Nation leaders calling for in the wake of this decision?
A: According to a news release from the Chiefs of Ontario, First Nation leaders are calling for the creation of a "dedicated, proactive, culturally safe support service" specifically for First Nations victims and their families who are navigating the federal corrections and parole system.