In a remarkable series of wins across Canada, several lottery players have recently experienced life-changing moments, with prizes ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. These stories highlight the joy and excitement that comes with winning the lottery, as well as the dreams and plans that follow such unexpected fortune.
Catherine Reimer, a resident of Port Alberni, was driving home from Victoria when she discovered she had won a significant prize in the Lotto 6/49 draw. On April 26, 2025, Reimer checked her ticket and realized she had won the $500,000 Extra prize. Her initial reaction was one of disbelief and sheer joy. “I checked the ticket and I don’t think you can share the words that I said,” she told the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). “Then I just screamed, ‘I won the lottery!’”
Reimer first shared the exciting news with her children before trying to convince her husband, who initially found it hard to believe. “I had to call him a few times and when he called back, he wouldn’t believe me! It took my kids screaming in the background for him to believe me,” she recounted. After checking her ticket on her phone, she made a stop at a store to confirm her win, having purchased the ticket at the Petro Canada in Nanoose Bay.
"It feels surreal. Just right now, surreal,” Reimer added, trying to process her newfound wealth. The BCLC reminds players to gamble responsibly, emphasizing that while lottery games can be exciting, they should be played for fun, not as a means to make money.
Meanwhile, in Ontario, two lucky players shared a stroke of luck during the Lotto 6/49 draw held on March 19, 2025. Pasquale Mazzei, a retiree from Amherstburg, and Laurie Kent, who has been playing the lottery for two decades, each matched five of the six winning numbers and the bonus number, winning the Classic Draw second prize of $105,904.20 each.
Mazzei recalled the moment he discovered his win, describing it as frozen in time. “In the morning, after finishing my coffee, I checked my tickets using the OLG app on my phone,” he said. “When I saw the numbers I’d matched, I was frozen with shock but still managed to scan my ticket and confirm my win.” He excitedly called out for his wife, who reacted with joy, exclaiming, “We won the lottery!”
Laurie Kent's experience was similarly thrilling. As she got ready for work that morning, she decided to check her tickets and was overwhelmed with excitement upon seeing her prize amount. “When I saw the prize amount, I screamed with joy and ran around my living room!” she exclaimed. Kent plans to use her winnings to fulfill some travel dreams and boost her retirement savings, stating, “Being a winner is the best feeling ever! I’m overwhelmed and humbled.”
In Greater Sudbury, Peter Lafreniere of Hanmer had his own reason to celebrate after winning $250,000 on the Big Time Cash Instant lottery ticket. The news of his win was published on May 10, 2025, and although details about his reaction were not disclosed, the excitement surrounding such wins is palpable across the community.
Also making headlines is the story of Blaine Parrington and Evelyne Rainville from Sturgeon Falls, who won a staggering $2.5 million in the LOTTO 6/49 Classic Jackpot on April 2, 2025. Their ticket was one of two that split the $5 million jackpot, and the couple has been playing the lottery with OLG for nearly 15 years.
“Last September, we decided we’d play LOTTO 6/49 every Wednesday for one year and see how we’d do,” Blaine shared. Just six months later, they found themselves celebrating an incredible jackpot win. Blaine recounted the moment of discovery, saying, “I scanned our LOTTO 6/49 ticket on the store’s ticket checker and saw the ‘Big Winner’ message. When I asked the store clerk to validate our ticket, the lottery terminal froze.”
With tears of joy, Blaine shared the news with Evelyne, who was equally astonished. “That afternoon, we had family over and told them about our winning ticket. Everyone was very happy for us,” she said. The couple plans to use their windfall to buy a new boat for Blaine’s fishing hobby, upgrade their car, and take a trip to see the Rocky Mountains. They also intend to share their winnings with their children and grandchildren, complete some renovations, and make investments for their future.
The winning ticket for Blaine and Evelyne was purchased at RX Drug Mart on King Street in Sturgeon Falls. Their story, like many others, showcases the life-changing potential of lottery winnings and the joy that comes with sharing such news with loved ones.
As these stories illustrate, winning the lottery can lead to dreams coming true, whether it’s paying off bills, planning vacations, or simply enjoying the thrill of a life-altering moment. The excitement of these wins not only transforms the lives of the winners but also brings joy to their families and communities.
Lottery organizations like the BCLC and OLG continue to promote responsible gambling, reminding players that while the thrill of winning is exhilarating, it should always be approached with caution and fun in mind. As these winners embark on new journeys, their stories serve as inspiration for hopeful players everywhere.
