Brenda Aubin-Vega, a young woman in her twenties from Montréal, is the newest winner of Loto-Québec’s Gagnant à vie grand prize—securing $1,000 a week for the rest of her life. Aubin-Vega made the life-changing discovery during her break at work, when she scratched her lottery ticket and saw three piggy bank symbols appear in the same game. “I couldn’t believe my eyes! I checked my ticket over and over again,” she said.
Presented with the choice between receiving $1,000 a week for life or a $1 million lump sum, she opted for the annuity and plans to use her winnings to purchase a home. Overwhelmed by the news, she called her father immediately and requested the rest of the day off to process the moment.
Aubin-Vega, who only plays Gagnant à vie a few times a year, bought two tickets from Dépanneur Jen & Dan at 1655 Rue Poirier in Montréal. The retailer will receive a $10,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.
This marks the ninth time in 2025 that the Gagnant à vie top prize has been claimed in Québec. In total, ten lifetime prizes have been awarded this year through Gagnant à vie and Grande Vie lottery games, including one $25,000-per-year lifetime annuity.
Loto-Québec, which has been serving Quebecers for over 50 years, awarded nearly $1.8 billion in prizes last year alone. The organization continues to prioritize responsible gaming and holds the highest level of international certification from the World Lottery Association.