Charest promotes Plan Nord in Europe

Quebec Premier Jean Charest will tour Europe this week to promote his plan for the northern part of the province.

Charest will visit England, Belgium and Germany between Monday and Friday, meeting with politicians and business leaders.

He made a similar trip to New York earlier this month and is planning to visit China and Japan later this summer.

The plan to develop Quebec's north -- known officially as the Plan Nord -- centres around the mining and energy sectors.

For example, the plan foresees 11 new mining projects during the next few years.

The premier says Plan Nord could lead to $80 billion in public and private investment over the next 25 years.

Charest announced the plan last month, and political observers say it's part of an attempt to build his political legacy.