Manitoba Finance Minister Rosanne Wowchuk responded that switching bipole routes would delay hydroelectric megaprojects in Manitoba's north and jeopardize lucrative power deals.

McFadyen has repeatedly vowed that if his party forms government in the October 4, 2011 Manitoba election, he will cancel the longer western route in favour of building the bipole line east of Lake Winnipeg.

In late 2007 the governing NDP directed Manitoba Hydro to build down the west side to protect pristine boreal forest on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. A World Heritage Site nomination is being proposed for about one fifth of these boreal lands.

Manitoba Hydro president Bob Brennan said the environmental licence application for Bipole III will be filed in fall 2011, perhaps after the October 4 election. The new estimated cost for the bipole project is $3.28 billion.