What stopped cartier from searching for a water route through the north America continent?

Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who made three voyages to North America in the 16th century. He did not search for a water route through the continent, but rather for a route to Asia. He was motivated by the reports of the Italian explorer, John Cabot, who had reached the North American mainland in 1497. Cartier had hoped to find a western route to Asia, which would have been shorter and less dangerous than the traditional route around Africa.

Cartier's first voyage in 1534 took him to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and up the St. Lawrence River. He returned to France with tales of a vast and wealthy land, which he named "Canada". Cartier's second voyage in 1535-1536 took him further up the St. Lawrence River and into the interior of Canada. He made contact with the native peoples and explored the region. Cartier's third voyage in 1541-1542 was an attempt to establish a permanent settlement in Canada. However, the colony failed due to harsh weather and conflicts with the native peoples. Cartier returned to France and never again returned to North America.

So what motivated Jacques Cartier was the search for a western route to Asia.