A quiet morning at home turned into a life-changing moment for Pierre Landry of Cormier Village, New Brunswick. After checking his tickets from the December 30, 2025 Lotto Max draw, Landry realized he had just won a $1 million Maxmillions prize — and with it, the chance to retire earlier than he ever expected.
A Surprising New Year’s Eve Moment
The discovery happened early on New Year’s Eve morning while his wife was still asleep.
Landry said he sat there for about five minutes, staring at the ticket in disbelief. Finally, he couldn’t keep the news to himself anymore.
“I had the ticket in my hand and was shaking it,” he said while claiming the prize with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. “My wife kept asking, ‘What? What?’”
It was the kind of wake-up call most people only dream about.
Goodbye Work, Hello Early Retirement
Landry had spent years working at a local fish smokehouse and originally planned to keep going for another year.
But that plan quickly changed.
-
$1 million win
-
Early retirement
-
A brand-new chapter starting in 2026
“I was working, but not now,” Landry joked. “I still had another year to go if I didn’t win, but this feels terrific.”
Big Dreams… But No Rush
Even with the sudden windfall, Landry and his wife aren’t rushing into big financial decisions.
One plan they’re excited about, though, is simple and adventurous:
buying a motorhome and traveling across Canada.
They hope to take their time exploring places they’ve never seen before and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Where the Lucky Ticket Came From
The winning ticket was purchased at Carrefour à Cap-Pelé in Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick.
Because of the win, the store will receive a one-percent seller’s prize — $10,000.
About Lotto Max
Lotto Max is one of Canada’s largest lottery games and offers frequent chances to win.
Here’s how it works:
-
Draws are held twice a week — Tuesdays and Fridays
-
Jackpots start at $10 million
-
They can grow up to $80 million
-
A ticket costs $5 and includes three sets of seven numbers (1–50)
A Perfect Start to the New Year
For Landry, the beginning of 2026 looks pretty different now.
No alarm clock.
No work schedule.
Just time to relax, travel, and enjoy life.
And sometimes, all it takes is one lucky ticket.
Responsible Gaming Reminder
If you’re looking to step back from gambling, self-exclusion programs are available across Canada and can help people take a break or regain control.
Login