Ontario couple so shocked by $40M lottery win, they went to work
A couple from Owen Sound, Ont. is celebrating their good fortune after becoming instant multi-millionaires with Lotto Max.
Stephanie, 47, and Bryan Cantwell, 46, were overjoyed and stunned to learn they had won $40 million in the Sept. 17 draw when the jackpot hit $80 million for the first time in Canadian lottery history.
The couple split the massive jackpot with another winning ticket sold in Quebec.
Bryan said he checked his ticket on the OLG app and had to do a double-take when the words Big Winner appeared on the screen.
"I was still in shock, so I checked some other tickets to ensure the app was working properly," he recalled. "I went back to the winning ticket and scanned it again and again. I think I checked it seven or eight times. The message remained the same, 'Big Winner' and '$40 million."
Stephanie was in the shower getting ready for work when Bryan showed his phone to her.
"I wasn't sure what was happening as he asked me to check the ticket. I thought I saw $40,000," she said. "That's when he told me to take a second look, and I screamed."
Stephanie and Bryan Cantwell of Owen Sound, Ont., won $40 million in the Sept. 17, 2024, Lotto Max draw. (Source: OLG)
Despite the life-altering win, the couple was in such disbelief that they both proceeded to get ready and go to work.
Stephanie worked in the packaging industry and Bryan in the skilled trades.
"We had told some of our family members, so I was literally walking into work on the phone with my dad and had to pause because he got very emotional, and I did, and he just kept saying, 'I can't believe this happens to real people," Stephanie shared.
"We both tried to carry on with the day like nothing had happened, but that lasted about five minutes," Stephanie laughed.
The couple had to wipe away tears as Stephanie shared that their younger years had seen some challenges.
"Life hasn't been easy for us... if you've always had the rug pulled out from underneath you, it's an expectation that it's going to happen again, so being here today and seeing the realness of it all, it's all so very exciting, but it's also very daunting," she said.
Still, the Cartwell's hope to do some good with their millions, including helping Stephanie's sister purchase a home.
"We have always been generous people, and we dream of helping all the people we love," said Stephanie. "But I am the budget queen, and we need to be careful to ensure we can make the most impact with this money for family, friends, and the community."
"This is generational wealth, and we want to make this last," added Bryan.
The couple plan to take some time to let the situation sink in.
"Sometimes, we just look at each other and laugh at this great fortune! It's still unbelievable," they concluded.
The winning lottery ticket was purchased at the Petro-Canada on Highway 6 and 10 in Owen Sound.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police release bodycam video of officer-involved incident at Hindu temple protest in Brampton, Ont.
Police say an officer who forcefully removed a 'weapon' from a protester outside of a Hindu temple in Brampton was acting 'within the lawful execution of his duties' after bystander video of the incident circulated widely online.
Some Scotiabank users facing 'intermittent' access to banking days after scheduled maintenance
Scotiabank users say they are having issues using their bank’s services following a scheduled maintenance period that ended days ago.
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
'Countless lives were at risk:' 8 charged, including teen wanted in deadly home invasion, after West Queen West gun battle
A teenage boy arrested along with more than 20 others following a gun battle in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood was wanted in connection with a deadly home invasion in Etobicoke back in April, Toronto police say.
Everything is under US$20 at Amazon's newest store
Amazon is targeting retail rivals Shein, Temu and TikTok Shop with a new deeply discounted storefront that sells a wide array of products for US$20 or less.
Many long COVID patients adjust to slim recovery odds as world moves on
There are certain phrases that Wachuka Gichohi finds difficult to hear after enduring four years of living with long COVID, marked by debilitating fatigue, pain, panic attacks and other symptoms so severe she feared she would die overnight.
Sandy Hook families help The Onion buy Infowars
The satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction, backed by families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims whom Jones owes more than US$1 billion in defamation judgments for calling the massacre a hoax.
California teenager admits to making hundreds of hoax emergency calls
A California teenager has admitted to making hundreds of swatting calls — hoax emergency calls — over a two-year period, creating 'fear and chaos' when police responded to his false reports of bomb threats and mass shootings at schools, homes and houses of worship, federal prosecutors said.
A look at how much mail Canada Post delivers, amid a strike notice
Amid a potential postal worker strike, here’s a look at how many letters and parcels the corporation delivers and how those numbers have changed in the internet age.