Manitoba woman wins $50 million from one of largest Canadian jackpots ever
Published Sunday November 8th, 2009
PINE FALLS, Man. - A Manitoba woman has won what is believed to be the largest lottery prize in the province's history and one of the largest ever in Canada.
Marie Fontaine of Pine Falls bought her winning numbers about one hour before Friday's cutoff for the $50-million Lotto Max draw.
Laurie Wilson, owner of Broadlands Mall in Pine Falls where the winning ticket was purchased, says Fontaine phoned the store on Saturday to check her numbers.
She then came to the store with her husband and several of her siblings to double-check them.
"It was emotional and happy and they were crying and laughing, it was incredible," Wilson recalled.
"All her sisters were jumping up and down and screaming (in) happiness, but they were also crying at the same time, it was total excitement all the way around, I couldn't believe it."
Wilson said she was shaking as much as Fontaine was as they filled out the paperwork to claim the $50 million prize from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.
The corporation has not confirmed the name of the winner, but previously issued a statement saying that a single winning ticket was purchased in Manitoba.
Fontaine could not be reached for comment.
The biggest lottery jackpot in Canadian history was awarded in 2005 when 17 oil and gas workers in Camrose, Alberta claimed $54.3 million dollars in a Lotto 6-49 draw.
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