The family of Barbara Kentner is calling for an investigation into the decision to grant full parole to the man convicted in connection with her death, saying they should have been consulted before his release.
Kentner, a member of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, was struck in the abdomen by a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in 2017. She died six months later from complications related to her injuries.
Brayden Bushby, who was 25 at the time of the latest report, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and was later convicted of manslaughter in 2021. He received an eight-year prison sentence for the attack, which the sentencing judge described as callous and misogynistic.
Kentner’s family is now demanding that the Parole Board of Canada explain why Bushby was granted full parole without first meeting with members of her family.
Her sister, Connie Kentner, joined a protest in Ottawa on Monday, calling for greater accountability and systemic changes in how the justice system handles cases involving violence against Indigenous women.
The family argues that victims’ relatives should have a meaningful opportunity to share their concerns during the parole process, particularly in cases involving serious violence and the death of a loved one.
The controversy has renewed broader discussions about the treatment of Indigenous women and girls in Canada, as advocates continue to call for stronger protections, accountability and reforms within the justice system.
The Parole Board of Canada’s decision does not overturn Bushby’s conviction. Rather, it determines the conditions under which he can serve the remainder of his sentence in the community.
The Kentner family is seeking greater transparency around the decision and wants authorities to examine whether existing parole procedures adequately consider the experiences and concerns of victims’ families.
The case continues to draw attention to questions surrounding parole, Indigenous justice and accountability, with the family pushing for changes they say could help prevent similar situations in the future.
Swifteradio.com
