20. Before rendering a decision under section 15 or fixing the amount of the indemnity, the labour commissioner must allow the parties to be heard on any pertinent matter, in such manner as he deems appropriate and, for such purpose, give them, by such means as he deems proper, at least five clear days’ notice of the day and hour when and the place where they may be heard.
If a party so called does not present himself or refuses to be heard at the sitting fixed for such purpose, or at an adjournment of such sitting, the labour commissioner may nevertheless proceed with the trial of the matter, and no judicial recourse shall be based on the fact that the investigation commissioner so proceeded in the absence of such party.
R. S. 1964, c. 141, s. 19; 1969, c. 48, s. 8; 1977, c. 41, s. 1; 1983, c. 22, s. 8.