See also: 11th century in Canada, other events of the 15th century, 16th century in Canada and the list of 'years in Canada'.

Events

• 1472 AD: João Vaz Corte-Real, a Portuguese explorer possibly reaches Newfoundland.
• 1492 AD: Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), backed by Spain, reaches San Salvador (Guanahani to the natives), "discovering the New World" and encountering Arawak and Taíno people. Thinking he is in India, he calls them Indians.
• 1494: Treaty of Tordesillas divides the colonial world between Spain and Portugal.
• 1497-98: John and Sebastian Cabot explore east coast of North America for England. They kidnap three Micmac men.
• 1497: Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot, 1450-98), a Venetian in English service, during a voyage underwritten by Bristol merchants, claims Cape Breton Island (or Newfoundland, or Labrador) for England on June 24, laying the basis for English claims to Canada and inspiring a series of further explorations.
• 1498: English explorer John Cabot, making a second voyage to North America (looking for Northwest Passage to India), travels the coast of Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, discovering Newfoundland Island, trades furs with Micmacs.