12. The Gouvernement may, upon request of the council of any Cree village corporation, grant letters patent to change its name and that of the municipality over which it has jurisdiction. Such change of name by letters patent shall have the same force and effect as if it had been effected by an act.
This request shall not be presented to the Gouvernement a notice has been published at least one month beforehand in the Gazette officielle du Québec containing a summary of the object of such request; within the same delay, a public notice to the same effect shall be given within the municipality.
The Minister shall publish these letters patent in the Gazette officielle du Québec with a notice indicating the date upon which they will come into force.
Upon the coming into force of these letters patent, the corporation and the municipality shall be designated under the new name mentioned in these letters patent. No change of name shall change any of the rights and obligations of the corporation, and any proceedings which may have been commenced or continued for or against the corporation under its first name may be so done for or against it under its new name.