Ontario woman wins big lottery prize after getting ticket in 'Secret Santa' work gift exchange
An Ontario woman is $250,000 richer after she won the top prize on a lottery scratch card given to her in a "Secret Santa" gift exchange at work.
Welland, Ont. woman Jennifer Lafleur said she scratched the 'Merry & Bright' lottery ticket when she got home from work on the first night of her Christmas holidays and said her heart starting pounding when she realized she had won.
She told the OLG she texted her husband immediately and told him to come home.
"I passed him the ticket and he asked if it was real, then gave me a big hug," the 41-year-old told the OLG.
The health industry employee said she plans to pay part of her mortgage and also put money aside for her children’s education.
"I'd also like to invest and save some for a family vacation," she said. "I have lots of decisions to make."
The OLG says 'Merry & Bright' scratch cards are available during the holidays and cost $10. The top prize is $250,000.
Last week, the OLG announced two best friends, who used to be married, won the $44-million Lotto Max jackpot.
The OLG said Elizabeth Lumbo and her ex-husband Arlene Lumbo will each take away $22,011,636 after winning the July 20 draw.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.