Debbie Ramsay and Lahsen Rezrazi pose for a photo after winning a B.C. lottery prize of $35 million during a celebration in Vancouver in this Friday, June 16, 2023 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, BCLC *MANDATORY CREDIT*
June 16, 2023 - 4:38 PM
VANCOUVER - A couple from Victoria, B.C., are $35 million richer after claiming the whopping sum at a B.C. Lottery Corp. celebration in Vancouver.
Lahsen Rezrazi and Debbie Ramsay say they plan on buying a home and a camper van with the prize money after splitting the $70 million jackpot with another winner in Ontario for the June 6 draw.
Rezrazi says he stopped at a grocery store for milk and cream on his way to pick up Ramsay from work where he checked his lottery tickets.
He says he initially won a modest $10 dollar prize and a free play before scanning the jackpot-winning ticket, and then called his wife with the news.
Ramsay says she could hardly contain a scream, and even went back to the store to scan the ticket for herself, also double-checking it with the lottery corporation's mobile app.
The couple says they are going on an "epic" cross-Canada road trip with plans to surprise family members along the way with cash gifts.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2023.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2023