B.C. man feels 'overwhelming amount of joy' after $500K lottery win
Lottery winner Michael Strauch is seen in a photo posted to the BCLC's website.
A Salmon Arm, B.C., resident is now $500,000 richer after matching four out of four Extra numbers on a recent Lotto Max ticket.
Michael Strauch bought the ticket at Matchbox Smoke and Vape Shop in Salmon Arm, and the cashier told him he had won big.
“The retailer said, ‘You are a winner! You just won $500,000.’ I was freaking out and said, ‘Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, this is a dream,” Strauch recalled in a Thursday media release from the B.C. Lottery Corporation.
He said other customers in the store congratulated him on the prize. “We were happy together in that moment,” he said. “It was really beautiful.”
When Strauch shared the news with his partner, he remembers, “We cried together, and she felt so much joy for me and for our future.”
He plans to use his winnings to buy a home and save for retirement.
“This win gives me the ability to slow down if I want to. Every day is a celebration now. We can relax and buy a home and that brings an overwhelming amount of joy and gratitude into our lives,” Strauch said.
According to the BCLC, lottery players in the province have redeemed more than $15 million in winnings from the Extra and over $46 million from Lotto Max so far in 2024.
The odds of winning the $500,000 top prize on the Extra are one in 3,764,376.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada could impose tariffs on U.S. steel, orange juice in response to Trump threat
Canadian officials are narrowing a list of American products to target in the event the federal government must respond to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, CTV News has confirmed.
Convicted Jan. 6 rioter arrested as fugitive in Whistler, B.C.
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill who said he was seeking asylum in Canada has been arrested as a "fugitive from U.S. justice," according to authorities.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Five deaths reported in L.A. wildfires, Canada prepared to offer expertise
A series of wildfires are searing through the Los Angeles area, forcing many to evacuate their homes. Follow along here for the latest updates.
Can the U.S. really make Canada the 51st state?
Talk of Canada becoming the 51st American state has raised an existential question on this side of the border: Could it be done? Could the maple leaf make way to the stars and stripes? According to several experts, it may be possible, but not painless.
Energy minister 'committed' to consumer carbon tax as he considers Liberal leadership
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says he would be 'committed' to the consumer carbon tax should he become Liberal leader and prime minister, despite the policy’s unpopularity.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is 'OK' after OPP vehicle he was in was 'sideswiped' in Highway 401 collision
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was uninjured after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401 earlier today.
At least 60 University of Guelph students sick as 'cluster of illness' hits residence
The University of Guelph is dealing with what they are calling a ‘cluster of illness’ among students living in residence.
New ranking suggests Canada passport among 'top 5 losers' in the world
A new global ranking may raise doubts about Canada's reputation of being open to other countries.
'A second chance at life': B.C. soccer player nearly killed by stray bullet in U.S. speaks to CTV News
Former Vancouver Whitecaps youth program player Nathan Demian was out celebrating an Ohio State victory that had propelled his top-ranked Buckeyes to soccer’s final four when he was struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle between two passing cars.
Vancouver Island
-
Convicted Jan. 6 rioter arrested as fugitive in Whistler, B.C.
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill who said he was seeking asylum in Canada has been arrested as a "fugitive from U.S. justice," according to authorities.
-
Debate among Liberal MPs over voting rules in leadership race
With contenders poised to enter the race to replace outgoing Prime Minister and Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau, concerns are being raised about the party’s criteria for voting eligibility.
-
'A second chance at life': B.C. soccer player nearly killed by stray bullet in U.S. speaks to CTV News
Former Vancouver Whitecaps youth program player Nathan Demian was out celebrating an Ohio State victory that had propelled his top-ranked Buckeyes to soccer’s final four when he was struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle between two passing cars.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
Edmonton
-
'This isn't just my mom's story,' says daughter of woman allegedly killed by partner
Abigail Robson says she moved from Nova Scotia to Alberta as a young girl with her mother 10 years ago for a fresh start.
-
ATA warns standardized testing will cause 'stress and anxiety' for kindergarteners
Kindergarteners in the province will receive standardized testing for the first time this month, something the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) says will negatively impact both teachers and students.
-
Semantics around subsidies won't stop city, developers from building homes
While Edmonton's mayor says home builders are getting too many handouts and that it needs to change as the city grows, the main advocate for the industry finds the position "baffling" and says developers don't see any subsidies. But both sides say they share a common goal.
Calgary
-
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back aganst Trump on social media
Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
-
'Extremely triggering': Facebook drug ads cause concern for Calgarian in recovery
A Calgary man who struggled with addiction for more than two decades is questioning why his Facebook account has been showing advertisements for drugs.
-
Calgary Flames game postponed in L.A. as wildfires burn nearby
The Calgary Flames game in Los Angeles on Wednesday night has been postponed due to the wildfires raging through the area.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge seeing less-than-average snowfall while Rockies return to average
Lethbridge and much of southern Alberta have seen a relatively dry winter.
-
Coaldale man charged in Lethbridge County break-and-enters
A Coaldale man is facing a number of charges after a string of break-ins at rural properties in Lethbridge County were reported.
-
Lethbridge motel murder suspect appears in court
One of three suspects in a Boxing Day murder at a Lethbridge motel appeared in court Wednesday.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg hospital death to be investigated as critical incident
The recent death of a man waiting for care in a Winnipeg hospital’s emergency department is being investigated as a critical incident.
-
Protesters block heavy equipment from entering Lemay Forest; trees still being cut down
It's full-blown Lemayhem in St. Norbert. On Wednesday morning, protesters blocked the road to Lemay Forest in an effort to stop more tree cutting in the area.
-
Police chief’s remains believed to be found in fire aftermath
The remains of Manitoba First Nation Police Service’s (MFNPS) leader are believed to have been found following a fire at his home.
Regina
-
Regina murder suspect who appeared on national most wanted list arrested
The Regina Police Service (RPS) has arrested a suspect that appeared on Canada's Top 25 Most Wanted list – in relation to a homicide that occurred in May of 2024.
-
Saskatchewan town sees flurry of construction with $30K housing cheque program
An official with a town in southeastern Saskatchewan says its plan to offer $30,000 cheques to anyone building homes in the community is paying off.
-
Saskatchewan experiencing warm up in temperatures this week
Temperatures have warmed up slightly this week for much of Saskatchewan and the prairies – an unexpected surprise for many during the dead of winter.
Saskatoon
-
'You're killing them inside': Sask. hockey referee blows the whistle on verbal abuse of young officials
A Saskatchewan hockey referee is gaining widespread attention after posting a video on social media telling coaches and parents to “do better.”
-
Sask. man missing since Christmas found dead
A 50-year-old man from Prince Albert, reported missing on Christmas Eve, was found dead Wednesday.
-
Saskatoon residents oppose cell tower precedent
SaskTel is proposing a new cell tower placed on the corner of a Saskatoon park to improve coverage and network capacity, but nearby residents say it’s too close to their homes, and against City of Saskatoon policy.
Toronto
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is 'OK' after OPP vehicle he was in was 'sideswiped' in Highway 401 collision
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was uninjured after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401 earlier today.
-
Toronto police arrest one of Canada's most wanted fugitives
One of Canada’s most wanted fugitives, who is the suspect in a fatal double shooting in south Etobicoke more than two years ago, has been arrested.
-
Ontario's so-called 'crypto king' faces new criminal charges in intimate partner violence case
Ontario's self-proclaimed 'crypto king,' Aiden Pleterski is facing charges in an alleged case of intimate partner violence in Vaughan last week.
Montreal
-
Two Quebec planes and their crews helping fight devastating L.A. wildfires
A pair of Quebec water bombers and their crews are in California helping fight the massive wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area
-
Just for Laughs founder's former sister-in-law testified that he sexually assaulted her
Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon’s former sister-in-law testified against him in court Wednesday, alleging he sexually assaulted her in the ‘90s.
-
Quebec increases funding for mining institute
The province is increasing funding for the Quebec mining institute (INMQ) from $1 million to $1.5 million for the 2024-2025 financial year.
Ottawa
-
Canada as the 51st State: Americans in Watertown, N.Y. react
Watertown, N.Y. is a border city where opinions on Canada potentially becoming the 51st U.S. state are as diverse as the people themselves. New Yorkers living in the city about an hour south of the border are weighing in on the idea, with many sharing mixed emotions.
-
'Not for sale': pushback as Trump's rhetoric escalates
Pushback to Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric continued Wednesday following the president-elect's threat to use economic force to acquire Canada as the 51st state.
-
Group calls on province to ban rat poison after Kanata dog nearly dies
After a dog in Kanata nearly died from ingesting rat poison, a grassroots organization is calling on the provincial government to take action to prevent similar incidents from happening.
Atlantic
-
Police arrest suspect in two N.S. homicides
Police have arrested a New Brunswick man wanted for the deaths of two people in Nova Scotia last month.
-
Daughter of N.S. woman killed in Edmonton speaks out
Abigail Robson is mourning the death of her mother Ashley Burke, who was killed in Edmonton, Alta, in an act of intimate partner violence.
-
Victim’s friend testifies in Halifax mall murder trial
A second-degree murder trial in the death of Ahmad Al Marrach heard from one of the victim’s friends Wednesday.
London
-
Why hasn’t London opened warming centres for the homeless?
Warming centres are welcoming people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, but a much lower temperature criteria in London means the temporary spaces are not operating here.
-
Snowmobile collision claims the life of 58-year-old near Brucefield
OPP say that they responded to a collision on Mill Road just west of the town of Brucefield just before 4:00 p.m.
-
Attempted robbery of London jewellery store has LPS on the hunt for four suspects
According to police, at roughly 4:15 p.m., four men arrived in a white SUV, and entered a jewellery store in the 400-block Wharncliffe Road South.
Kitchener
-
Pedestrian dies after crash involving Guelph city bus
A pedestrian has died after a crash involving a city bus in Guelph.
-
At least 60 University of Guelph students sick as 'cluster of illness' hits residence
The University of Guelph is dealing with what they are calling a ‘cluster of illness’ among students living in residence.
-
Faculty strike averted at Ontario colleges as both sides agree to binding arbitration
A strike by faculty at Ontario’s 24 public colleges was averted Wednesday, with both sides reaching an agreement on key points and a promise to resolve outstanding issues in mediation and arbitration.
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is 'OK' after OPP vehicle he was in was 'sideswiped' in Highway 401 collision
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was uninjured after an OPP vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on Highway 401 earlier today.
-
Motorist was driving 168 km/h on Hwy. 69, northern Ont. police say
A 21-year-old from Sturgeon Falls has been charged with stunt driving and is accused of exceeding the speed limit by 58 km/h.
-
Ontario has 'strong list' to counter possible Trump tariffs: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government has a “strong list” of possible retaliatory measures if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump moves ahead with imposing tariffs on Canadian goods.
N.L.
-
Adviser says Quebec-N.L. energy deal is 'very good,' as Opposition vows not to vote
Newfoundland and Labrador's Opposition Progressive Conservatives vowed Wednesday that they will not vote on a draft energy deal with Quebec's hydro utility until it is scrutinized by independent experts.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
-
Part of street washed away and state of emergency declared in N.L. town after storm
Damaging winds and pounding surf that washed away part of a street in a small northeastern town in Newfoundland on Sunday triggered a state of emergency in the coastal community.
