Which European country first colonized parts of Canada?

The first European country to colonize parts of Canada was France. In the early 16th century, French explorers, including Jacques Cartier, began to explore the St. Lawrence River and established early settlements. They were motivated by the potential for trade, particularly in fur, and aimed to spread Christianity among the Indigenous peoples.

The French established significant colonies, including Quebec, which became a center for French culture and language in North America. This early colonization by France laid the foundations for the development of Canadian society, especially in the regions that are still predominantly French-speaking today.

Other European countries, like Britain, Spain, and Portugal, had varying degrees of interest and involvement in the Americas, but they did not establish their first colonies in Canada until after France had already claimed parts of it. Thus, France's early efforts in the 1500s mark the beginning of European colonization in Canada.