Were The French The First European Inhabitants Of Canada?

It is generally accepted that prior to the French settling in Canada, the first European settlers were actually the Vikings.  They established a settlement in what we now recognise as Newfoundland, as early as the 11th Century.  Prior to this the only inhabitants had been Indians from Asia who had crossed the route over the Bering Straits.  Inuit peoples also regularly visited Canada.
However, it was not until 1497 that extensive settlement of Canada began.  This was due to the Italian explorer John Cabot (sailing on behalf of the English) landed in Canada and settled briefly in Newfoundland.
It was only in 1534 that the French explorer Jacques Cartier discovered and subsequently claimed the St Lawrence River basin for France.
So originally English Canada was established in the north and west of Canada, with the French Canadian settlement being confined to the St Lawrence River basin.  As fur trading grew more popular the French and English clashed over territory and by 1754 the English had acquired the whole of Canada, even though a large part of it was French speaking.

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