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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.