The route will be based on a Site Selection and Environmental Assessment Process (SSEA) which began fall 2008. The SSEA will result in a final Environmental Impact Statement to go to regulatory authorities June 2011. Federal and provincial environmental approvals will be coordinated between Manitoba Conservation and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. The proposed in-service date is 2017.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation held a press conference, and released a power point presentation hoping to sway public opinion against the province's plan to build Bipole III down the west side of the province. The Canadian Taxpayers Association says building down the east side of Lake Winnipeg is the shorter route and will save an additional $1.4 billion.

"It looks like this tax payers association information avoids putting a value on ecological services from intact forest regions. The same avoidance applies to carbon reservoirs on the eastside. The UNESCO expectations of northern countries when protecting and designation new world heritages sites are very high. Two attempts at transmission lines in Canadian WHS are currently under investigation," commented Gaile Whelan Enns, director, Manitoba Wildlands.