Trying to fix my combine, I need politicians who really get what farmers are facing [Video]

This First Person article is the experience of Jason Jackson, a farmer near Olds, Alta. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, please see the FAQ.

My favourite farm machine is my old combine, a Case IH 1688. It’s 30 years old and I’ve racked up countless hours in the cab harvesting barley, wheat, oats, peas, faba beans and canola.

Using older farm machinery helps keep costs down at my small central Alberta farm, but repairing this older machinery is getting difficult. 

That’s why my ballot box issue is right-to-repair legislation. I want our next government to actually understand the complexity of the issues facing Canadian farmers, and right-to-repair legislation is a prime example. 

Right-to-repair is crucial to helping farmers survive. But it’s not just to help out farmers. Keeping our costs down can help keep grocery prices lower for all Canadians, and protect Canada’s food sovereignty.

Rising costs on my farm

I grow grain and …