9. Every interested person, within the meaning of section 6, who objects to the principle of amalgamation or to the terms and conditions of the joint petition may, within 30 days after the date the notice provided for in that section is last published, inform the Commission, in writing, of the grounds of his objection.
If an objection is forwarded to it in accordance with the first paragraph, or if the Minister requires it, the Commission must hold a public investigation to hear the parties concerned.
After the investigation, the Commission shall report to the Minister and forward a copy of its report to each municipality contemplated in the joint petition. It may also recommend that the Minister order, in accordance with section 12, consultation of the qualified voters of any of the municipalities contemplated in the joint petition.
1971, c. 53, s. 9; 1982, c. 63, s. 239; 1987, c. 57, s. 809.