Fourteen lucky residents from Quebec’s Basse–Côte-Nord are celebrating a life-changing win after a $50-million Lotto Max ticket turned them into instant millionaires.
The winning ticket, part of a Formule groupe purchased at St-Paul’s River General Store in Bonne-Espérance, was revealed on September 6th, granting each winner just over $3.5 million.
Located in a remote area accessible only by plane or boat, Bonne-Espérance was filled with jubilation as the news of the win spread like wildfire.
The good fortune struck one group member while casually checking the lottery results over a morning cup of coffee. The excitement quickly rippled through the community with the help of a handwritten notebook used by store employees to keep track of players. Soon, locals gathered at the general store for an impromptu celebration, marked by tears, laughter, and shouts of joy.
On September 18th, the winners, their loved ones, and community members came together for a grander celebration at Salmon Bay Farm in Rivière-Saint-Paul. The retailer, known for organizing lottery groups, will also pocket a hefty $500,000 commission.
Several of the winners wasted no time in sharing their plans for the windfall. Seventy-year-old retiree Loretta Cabot Griffin, who had worked in fish processing, ceremoniously bid farewell to her hairnet and announced her retirement.
Adam Jones Fowler, a road worker, expressed his intentions to scale back on work hours to focus more on his passions for hunting and fishing. Other winners spoke of dreams like building cottages, purchasing trucks, and embarking on family trips.
This stroke of luck adds to Quebec’s winning streak, with over $120 million in recent winnings. This includes a $46-million jackpot for a resident in Centre-du-Québec and three fortunate individuals winning $1,000 a day for life in Montréal, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Côte-Nord.
Isabelle Jean, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Lottery Games at Loto-Québec, remarked on the positive impact the wins would have on many families and the Bonne-Espérance community. “We are delighted to help Quebec communities thrive and assist individuals in realizing their dreams,” she added.
The 14 fortunate winners include: Faye Bilodeau, Loretta Cabot Griffin, Charlotte F. Fequet, Diana Griffin Blanche, Malinda Griffin, Maud Griffin O’Brien, Deborah Ellen Goddard Griffin, Adam Jones Fowler, Deborah Pennefather, Bradley O’Brien, Wanita Roberts, Carolyn Amy Sims, Della Tina Eleanor Spingle, and Lionel Spingle.
Last year, Loto-Québec distributed nearly $1.8 billion in prizes, further solidifying its commitment to making dreams a reality for many.
