Grumpy Taxpayer$ has examined the conclusions of the Island Corridor Foundation survey (Rail survey finds strong support for revitalized service on Vancouver Island, Victoria B次元官网网址, Oct. 16) and awarded them their not-really-coveted top Pinocchio Award.

The ICF survey coincided with the release of the provincial South Island Transportation Study on Sept. 18. In it, the commuter rail between Westhills and Victoria was barely mentioned and described as neither short or medium-term priority, but long-term.

The foundation claimed in its press release that the B次元官网网址楽upport for rail on Vancouver Island is clear,B次元官网网址� based on results from its ICF 2020 Survey conducted between Sept. 18 to 26. There are numerous failings of this voluntary online survey.

The ICF press release failed to mention the relatively low sample size of 1,000, and the level of confidence of 90 per cent and statistical margin of error of three per cent. A 95 per cent level of confidence is generally the industry standard.

The survey was distributed through the ICF website and shared through social media platforms. ICF website visitors have a point of view, which may have prompted biased responses from B次元官网网址楩riends of the Corridor.B次元官网网址� While not distributed directly, the ICF has about 2,500 B次元官网网址榠ntrinsic respondentsB次元官网网址� and 1,000 Facebook members of a group dedicated to restoring rail.

The survey gathered 3,533 total responses, of which 2,979 respondents gave a valid postal code for Vancouver Island regions adjacent to the rail corridor, so 554 respondents were discounted. Residents living closer to any proposed resumption of rail service are more likely to be supportive, especially passenger rail. The ICF stacked the deck to get a more favorable response, leaving out other Island residents who also would pay for any additional tax burden.

The questionnaire is clearly focused on passenger rail service B次元官网网址� not commercial rail B次元官网网址� which is not clearly indicated in the press release and survey results. At one point the questionnaire muddies the waters by stating, B次元官网网址淲e need to revitalize and modernize the rail service on Vancouver Island for public and commercial use.B次元官网网址�

Selective results and B次元官网网址榟ighlightsB次元官网网址� were conveyed to the public from the entire survey.

Pinocchio Award (4 out of 4) - In its press release announcing the survey the ICF stated, B次元官网网址淚CF remains 100 per cent committed to the restoration of full rail service on Vancouver Island. We continue to advocate for immediate action from our provincial government as it will not only provide a lasting and viable transportation option but will bring both immediate, and long-term, economic benefits and stimulus to Vancouver Island.B次元官网网址� With that declaration, taxpayers pretty much learn about the purpose behind the survey.

The issue of what to do with rail on Vancouver Island is important, complicated (five regional districts and 14 First Nations), exceedingly expensive, and a critical transportation issue that may or may not be viable.

Taxpayers arenB次元官网网址檛 helped by this voluntary online ICF survey. (Nor is this charity helped, by the way, by not posting the 2019 or 2020 budget documents).

Stan Bartlett, chair

Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria