A Thunder Bay, Ont. couple is celebrating a $50-million lotto jackpot they won in a draw on March 23.
Louis, 56, and Jo-Anne Chikoski, 54, spoke publicly at a press conference on Monday for the first time after winning the Lotto Max jackpot.
The Chikoskis said they were overwhelmed and were going to take a couple weeks to get some financial advice and plan their next move before making any large purchases.
"We're just going to put it in the bank and sit on it," Jo-Anne said. "It's so overwhelming right now."
Though, they do have a few ideas on how to spend some of the cash.
"We have been married, it will be 23 years on the 22nd of this month, and we have never been on a honeymoon and, by golly, we're going on one," said Louis.
Jo-Anne said she'd like to see more of Canada before venturing outside the country.
"It's the most beautiful country in the world and I'm proud of it, and I want to see Canada," Jo-Anne said.
She said she'd also like to visit relatives in Italy, Norway and Austria.
The couple does not have children, but Jo-Anne said they are very close with nieces and nephews, who they would like to take on some of their travels.
"We're going to be taking you places, kiddos," Jo-Anne said.
Jo-Anne said she is going to retire.
As for Louis, he was already planning for a September retirement. He has been working at local paper mills for the past 40 years.
"I think it's going to be a little earlier than that," he said.
The couple purchased the ticket at Good Luck Lottery Shoppe on Arthur Street in Thunder Bay.
Though they have regularly played the lotto before, the couple said the most they previously won was $20, or a free ticket.
