In the case of Newfoundland and Labrador it was the fish that brought Europeans. It was "discovered" a couple of times. John Cabot was first to claim Bonavista and wrote to Queen Elizabeth that the fish was so plentiful one could walk across the water on the cod. It wasn't until the 1820s that permanent settlement was allowed in Newfoundland and Labrador, but there had been a steady stream of Europeans coming over to supply Europe, the Caribbean and the West Indies with salt cod. There was a big push in Southern England to move to Newfoundland and Labrador. People were offered good money, kit and adventure. My family came over as indentured servants from Ireland in the 1730s by a Scottish family, the Macphersons. So although there was to be no official settlement in NL the rich could, and did, build settlements. The Irish was discouraged from building homes and, unless they were servants, they had to ho home every winter. From what I have studied, people were poor and hungry. Promise of money, adventure and regular meals was a huge draw. Many died in Newfoundland and Labrador, our weather is awful and a huge amount of the island is Barrens. The ships coming over often sank as they were carrying salt and if that salt got either bit wet it could shift and take down the ship. If your interested in more information look at https://www.heritage.nf.ca/ which is published my Memorial University.