A couple from Hawkesbury, Ont., just east of Ottawa, are starting off 2012 by making a trip that most Canadians will envy.
Lotto Max winners Jo-Ann Champagne, 49, and her 51-year-old husband, Gaetan, will head to Toronto on Wednesday to claim their $50-million prize.
The former convenience store owners had previously won a free ticket and redeemed it at the Hawkesbury Pharma Prix for their chance at the jackpot.
The couple had played the same lotto numbers for more than two decades, without much luck. But a Quick Pick landed them the prize.
"How much is $50 million dollars?" Jo-Ann said to CTV Ottawa, with a huge grin on her face.
Statistically speaking, Champagne had reason to smile.
The odds of winning on a $5 play, which includes three sets of numbers, is one in 28,633,528. With that much money, in fact, Canadians could pay the salary of six Jason Spezzas, buy 271 Porsche 911 Turbos, or cover three full Ottawa snowstorms and cleanups.
Still, the win came as a shock to the couple.
On New Year's Eve, the Champagnes checked their ticket on their drive to Ottawa. At first glance, they thought they had won $50,000.
"When I checked the numbers and I saw the seven numbers were matching, that's when I realized it was $50 million," husband Gaetan told CTV Ottawa's Katie Griffin on Jan. 2.
Since the launch of Lotto Max in September 2009, there have been 16 other jackpot wins.
Tony Bitonti, a spokesman for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. said the ticket from the Dec. 30 draw was validated in the Ottawa area.
There were also four winning $1-million MaxMillions numbers from the same draw. One ticket was sold in the Toronto area, and the three others in Western Canada.
The jackpot win will bring some welcome changes for the couple and their community.
After working seven days a week for 12 years, the Champagnes sold their business two months ago to open a hobby and toy store.
On Dec. 6, they launched Toys for Boys? The question mark is Gaetan's little joke -- he sells hockey cards, electric trains and other toys that are traditionally for boys, but welcomes girls to play with them.
Before their lotto win, the Champagnes had taken a single, 10-day vacation. Now, they will take a two-week trip to the Dominican Republic for their nephew's wedding later this month. The Champagnes, who have two sons aged 30 and 27, will also buy a new home and car.
The Champagnes also plan on helping their family and their community with their new wealth.
As Gaetan told CTV, the Champagnes will donate funds to Ottawa's local food bank and a nearby hospital.
