Bernard Morissette, a resident of Quebec's Outaouais region, has won $40 million, which is half of the record-setting $80 million Lotto Max jackpot. CTV News
When Bernard Morissette, a retired physical education teacher from Quebec’s Outaouais region, received a call from Loto-Québec on September 18, he had no idea his life was about to change dramatically. The day before, he had purchased a ticket for Lotto-Max, which was offering the largest jackpot in Canadian history—an eye-popping $80 million. Two winning tickets were sold, one in Ontario and one in Quebec.
The call began with a Loto-Québec employee asking Morissette if he had heard the news that one of the winning tickets had been sold in Quebec. Unaware, Morissette replied that he hadn’t. Then came the moment that would change everything: the employee informed him that it was he who held the lucky ticket for Quebec's portion of the jackpot. Morissette, in disbelief, asked for confirmation, "Forty million?" The employee replied with a firm, “Yes, sir.”
Excitement took over, and he shouted to his wife, “Rachel! We won $40 million! It’s Loto-Québec on the phone! It’s true!”
On Friday, September 20, Morissette was presented with the massive $40 million cheque at a press conference. The retiree, who is in his 80s, shared how he almost missed the draw entirely. On September 17, just hours before the cutoff, he logged onto Loto-Québec’s website around 9 p.m. to purchase his ticket. Morissette, who always plays the same set of numbers, made sure to do so again, though this time the decision made him a multimillionaire.
While still trying to process his newfound wealth, Morissette revealed some of his initial plans for the money. First and foremost, he wants to support his three children financially. Beyond that, the sports enthusiast expressed a desire to travel to Italy to watch a soccer match. For now, he is taking the time to let the reality of his win sink in and figure out how to best enjoy his fortune.
The other winning ticket, sold in Ontario’s Grey County, has yet to be claimed. The identity of the second $40 million winner remains unknown as of the latest reports.
Morissette’s win has captured the imagination of lottery players and dreamers across the country, as the $80 million jackpot marks the largest in Canadian history. His story of almost missing the draw and then being surprised with such a life-changing windfall is a reminder that luck can strike when you least expect it.
With $40 million now in his possession, Morissette's retirement has taken on a new and exciting chapter. The joy and disbelief that came with his win have been palpable, especially during the press conference when he shared the news with the world. Whether travelling abroad to catch a soccer match or helping his family, Morissette now has the means to fulfill long-held dreams and create new ones.
As for the other lucky winner in Ontario, only time will tell when they step forward to claim their share of the historic prize. But for Bernard Morissette, the future is already looking brighter than ever.
