12 (1) The Minister may propose an amendment to the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (1). Same – application by prescribed person or public body (2) The Minister may prescribe circumstances under which a prescribed person or public body may apply to the Minister for an amendment to the Plan.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (2). Refusal, non-conformity with objectives (3) The Minister may refuse an application made under subsection (2) if he or she is of the opinion that the amendment requested does not conform with the objectives of the Plan, as set out in section 4, and in that case subsections (5) to (9) do not apply to the amendment.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (3). Notice of refusal, reasons (4) When an application is refused under subsection (3), the Minister shall give the applicant written notice and reasons.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (4). Notice re proposed amendment (5) When an amendment to the Plan is proposed under subsection (1) or applied for under subsection (2), the Minister shall ensure that each municipality or municipal planning authority with jurisdiction in the area to which the amendment would apply or in an abutting area, and any other prescribed person or public body, (a)  is given notice of the proposal or application in the prescribed manner; and (b)  is invited to make written submissions on the amendment within the period of time specified by the Minister.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (5). Minister may confer (6) The Minister may confer with any person or public body that the Minister considers may have an interest in the proposed amendment.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (6). Notice or payment by applicant (7) The Minister may require an applicant to give the notice under clause (5) (a) at the applicant’s own expense, or to pay the Minister’s costs of giving it.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (7). Steps if no submissions received (8) If no written submissions under clause (5) (b) are received within the specified time, the Minister may take one or more of the following steps and make the appropriate regulation, if any, amending the Plan: 1.  Approval of all or part of the proposed amendment. 2.  Modification of all or part of the amendment and approval of the amendment or part as modified. 3.  Refusal to approve all or part of the amendment.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (8). Steps if submissions received (9) If written submissions under clause (5) (b) are received, the Minister may, after considering the submissions, (a)  take one or more of the steps listed in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of subsection (8) and make the appropriate regulation, if any, amending the Plan; or (b)  appoint a hearing officer to conduct a hearing and make written recommendations with respect to the proposed amendment, in which case section 13 applies.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (9). Minister’s decision (10) The Minister’s decision made in accordance with subsection (8) or clause (9) (a) is final and not subject to appeal.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (10). Copies of decision (11) The Minister shall send a copy of the decision referred to in subsection (10) to, (a)  the clerk of each municipality or the secretary-treasurer of each municipal planning authority, as the case may be, that has jurisdiction in the area to which the amendment would apply; (b)  each party to the hearing, if a hearing was held; (c)  each person or public body that made written submissions under clause (5) (b); and (d)  any other persons or public bodies that the Minister determines.  2001, c. 31, s. 12 (11).