B.C. lotto player plans retirement of her dreams after winning millions in her last week on the job
A Metro Vancouver woman was just a week away from retirement when she found out she'd become $2 million richer.
Lea Olsen, of Port Coquitlam, managed to match all six numbers in a BC/49 draw last month, qualifying her for the top prize.
In a news release issued by the B.C. Lottery Corporation, Olsen said she can't remember what went through her mind when she found out she'd won.
"I was so excited and just started screaming," she told BCLC. She wasn't home alone, and the screaming was briefly cause for alarm: "My husband thought there was something wrong."
Another family member also misunderstood, at first.
Olsen said she called her daughter to share the news, but wasn't believed.
"I texted her a photo," Olsen said. "She came over right away."
Even Olsen herself felt the win was surreal, saying, "I can't believe this is happening!"
The recent retiree said she plays the lottery with her own numbers – a combination of family birthdates. She plans to treat some of those family members with her winnings.
Additionally, she's planning the retirement of her dreams. Travel is high on her list of priorities, with Europe being the first destination on her bucket list, she told BCLC.
"Now I can be a little more extravagant and travel first class."
According to BCLC, residents of the province have won more than $11 million in BC/49 prizes so far this year. But the likelihood ending up like Olsen isn't high.
The odds of matching all six numbers are one in 13,983,816.
Based on U.S. and Canadian estimates, it's more likely to be struck by lightning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Parliament on the road to an unprecedented confidence crisis, but there are off-ramps
If no political party is willing to say uncle, the drawn-out stalemate in the House of Commons is heading for an unprecedented situation that could amount to a tacit lack of confidence in the government, without anyone in Parliament casting a vote.
Apparent Taylor Swift ticket scam targets hundreds who claim to be out $300K
An apparent scam allegedly targeting roughly four hundred people, many of whom based out of Burlington, Ont., claim to be out approximately $300,000 in total after believing they were purchasing Taylor Swift tickets in Toronto, but never receiving them.
Biden authorizes Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia
U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine to strike even deeper inside Russia, the latest easing of limitations meant to prevent the conflict from further spiraling, according to one U.S. official and three people familiar with the matter.
Dwayne Johnson's US$200 million+ Christmas pic opens to US$34.1 million
Moviegoers were not exactly feeling the Christmas spirit this weekend, or at least what 'Red One' was offering. The big budget, star-driven action comedy with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans sold US$34.1 million in tickets in its first weekend in theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It easily topped a box office populated mostly by holdovers.
Canadian baby and toddler sleepwear recalled, risk of catching fire: Health Canada
Hundreds of organic baby- and toddler-sized rompers sold by an Ontario-based sustainable clothing company have been recalled over concerns they could catch fire and injure children, according to Health Canada.
Winnipeg man charged with biting police officer during investigation
Winnipeg police have charged a man after an officer was bit during an investigation earlier this year.
Doctors say RFK Jr.'s anti-Ozempic stance perpetuates stigma and misrepresents evidence
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to tackle high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. They’re goals that many in the public health world find themselves agreeing with — despite fearing what else the infamous anti-vaccine activist may do in the post.
Trump's Pentagon pick paid woman after sex assault allegation but denies wrongdoing, his lawyer says
Pete Hegseth, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit, according to Hegseth's lawyer.
Military says more Canadians enlisting as second career amid recruitment struggle
Working on a military truck, within the logistics squadron of CFB Kingston, Private Charlotte Schnubb is elbows deep into an engine with a huge smile on her face.