Group of Ottawa workers about to be laid off hit Lotto 6/49 jackpot
Posted August 14, 2011 3:48 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – A big win has taken the sting out of a looming layoff for some workers at Smart Technologies in Ottawa.
Eighteen workers will each be getting $400,000 cheques after winning the $7-million Lotto 6/49 jackpot on Wednesday.
The employees were among 200 employees who faced layoffs as the company shifted its operation to Mexico.
Tony Mather, one of the 18 winners, said the news of the win came as quite a shock.
“They had to tell me about five times. There might have been some swear words in there just to emphasis don’t mess with me.” Mather said.
Colin Willard, another winner, said it could not come at a better time.
“I’ll tell you everybody’s pretty stoked here — very stoked, they’re all excited,” Willard said.
Willard had only returned to work last week after being off for six month due to back problems.
One of the other winners said he was going to use his new found wealth to go back to school while another said part of his winnings was going to go toward his son’s education fund.
The Ontario Lottery Corporation said the winning ticket was confirmed on Thursday.
The winners picked up their winnings on Friday in the OLG office in Toronto.
