'It's still just surreal': Work trip turns into $500K lotto win for B.C. man
A northern B.C. man is $500,000 richer after picking a winning ticket while on a work trip in Richmond.
It's been nearly a month since Moberly Lake resident Rudy Paquette matched all four of the Extra numbers from the Dec. 15 Lotto Max draw and the news is still sinking in.
"It really hasn't hit home," Paquette told the B.C. Lottery Corporation in a news release about winning the half-million-dollar prize. "It's still just surreal."
Paquette was in Richmond for work when he discovered he had won at an International News store on River Road — the same retailer he purchased the ticket from.
"I thought it was someone else who won at first and the retailer who scanned my ticket had to tell me it was me who won," Paquette recalled.
He couldn't wait to share the news with his wife, who was "very happy" for him.
As for what he plans to do with his winnings, Paquette has a few ideas.
"House renovations are the bucket list item. I want to make it look new," he said. "All of the extras can come later."
Paquette also hopes to take a trip to Las Vegas for a golf tournament.
According to the BCLC, lottery players in B.C. redeemed more than $38 million in winnings from the Extra and more than $212 million from Lotto Max in 2023.
The Extra is an add-on option available with the Daily Grand, Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max and BC/49.
Matching all four Extra numbers gets a top prize of $500,000. The odds of winning that amount are approximately one in 3,764,376, according to the BCLC.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
BREAKING Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
Person charged in random assault on actor Steve Buscemi in New York
A person wanted in connection with the random assault on actor Steve Buscemi on a New York City street earlier this month was taken into custody Friday, police said.