9 (1) The Minister forthwith upon receiving an application shall consider the application, and the Minister may, (a) approve payment of an increment and determine the amount thereof that may be paid to the applicant; or (b) determine that no increment may be paid to the applicant.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (1). Minister to furnish particulars (2) Where particulars of the basis on which the amount of any increment that may be paid to an applicant was determined by the Minister are requested by the applicant, or where the Minister determines that no increment may be paid to an applicant, the Minister shall forthwith, in writing, notify the applicant of the basis upon which the amount was determined or of the basis upon which the Minister’s determination was reached that no increment may be paid and shall notify the applicant of his or her right of appeal under this section.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (2). Objection by applicant (3) Where an applicant is dissatisfied with, (a) a determination of the Minister under subsection (1); (b) the decision of the Minister under section 3 to suspend payment of an increment; (c) a direction of the Minister under section 7; or (d) the Minister’s determination that an applicant has received an increment to which he or she is not entitled or a payment in excess of the increment to which he or she is entitled, the applicant may object to that determination, decision or direction by serving on the Minister a notice of objection in the form approved by the Minister setting out the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts within ninety days from the date of notice of such determination, decision or direction by the Minister.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (3); 1997, c. 19, s. 17 (1). Extension of time (3.1) The time for serving a notice of objection may be extended by the Minister if the applicant applies for the extension, (a) before the expiry of time allowed under subsection (3); or (b) within one year after the date of notice of a determination, decision or direction described in subsection (3), if the applicant provides an explanation satisfactory to the Minister explaining why the notice of objection could not be served within the time required by subsection (3) and the Minister agrees to the extension of time. 2016, c. 5, Sched. 19, s. 1. Service (4) A notice of objection under this section shall be served personally or by registered mail addressed to the Minister, but the Minister may accept a notice of objection under this section even if it was not served in the manner required.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (4). Minister to reconsider (5) Upon receipt of the notice of objection, the Minister shall forthwith reconsider the determination, decision or direction objected to and confirm, vary or reverse such determination, decision or direction, and the Minister shall, by registered mail, thereupon notify the person making the objection of his or her action.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (5). Minister’s decision final (6) A decision of the Minister under subsection (5) is final and is not subject to appeal except where the decision involves the interpretation of a provision of this Act, or involves an issue solely of law.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (6). Appeal on question of law (7) In any dispute over a determination, decision or direction of the Minister under subsection (5), the Minister may, where the dispute involves the interpretation of a provision of this Act, or involves an issue solely of law in which no facts are in dispute, or involves the proper inference to be drawn from facts that are not in dispute, agree in writing with the disputing party as to the undisputed facts and thereafter apply to the Superior Court of Justice to have the issue in dispute determined, and if the Minister does not make the application within six weeks of the date upon which the undisputed facts have been agreed upon in writing, the other party to the dispute may apply to the court to have the issue determined.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (7); 2006, c. 19, Sched. C, s. 1 (1). Administration of oaths (8) Any officer or employee in the Ministry of Community and Social Services who is authorized to administer oaths, take and receive affidavits, declarations and affirmations and any officer or employee in the Ministry of Finance who is authorized by the Minister, may administer oaths, take and receive affidavits, declarations and affirmations for the purposes of or incidental to the administration or enforcement of this Act, and every person so authorized has, with respect to any such oath, affidavit, declaration or affirmation, all the powers of a commissioner for taking affidavits.  R.S.O. 1990, c. O.17, s. 9 (8); 1999, c. 9. s. 173. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1997, c. 19, s. 17 (1) - 10/10/1997 1999, c. 9, s. 173 - 14/12/1999 2006, c. 19, Sched. C, s. 1 (1) - 22/06/2006 2016, c. 5, Sched. 19, s. 1 - 19/04/2016