Most people buy a lottery ticket and forget about it until the draw. Karine Sirois wasn’t checking her phone that evening—when Loto-Québec called her the next morning, she had no idea she’d just become $14 million richer. Her quiet morning became the kind of day that reshapes a life entirely.

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Jackpot Amount: $14 million · Draw Date: January 13, 2026 · Winner Location: Quebec City · Ticket Purchase: Online via Loto-Québec · Claim Date: January 14–22, 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact location within Capitale-Nationale where the winning ticket was registered
  • Net payout amount after any applicable federal deductions
3Timeline signal
  • January 13: $14M Lotto Max draw held, numbers 14-18-21-22-32-42-46 (Daily Hive)
  • January 14: Loto-Québec contacts Karine Sirois, jackpot claimed by Quebec ticket (CityNews Montreal)
  • January 22: Official press release names winner, story published from Montréal (Loto-Québec Press Release)
4What’s next
  • Sirois has retired immediately after confirming the win (Daily Hive)
  • Next Lotto Max draw reset to $10 million on January 16, 2026 (Daily Hive)

The table below consolidates the key parameters of the winning ticket and the draw.

Label Value
Jackpot $14,000,000
Date January 13, 2026
Location Quebec City, Quebec (Capitale-Nationale)
Method Online ticket
Operator Loto-Québec

Who won the $14 million Lotto Max?

Karine Sirois, a fifty-something resident of Quebec’s Capitale-Nationale region, won the $14,000,000 Lotto Max jackpot from the January 13, 2026 draw. Loto-Québec confirmed her as the sole winner in an official press release issued on January 22, 2026, from Montréal. She purchased her winning ticket through Loto-Québec’s online gaming platform—a detail that would prove significant when it came time to notify her of the win.

Quebec City woman retires after win

When Loto-Québec contacted Karine Sirois on January 14, 2026—the morning after the draw—she hadn’t yet checked the results herself. The corporation reached her directly through her online account to deliver the news. Upon confirming her win by logging into her account, Sirois reacted emotionally. She then made an immediate decision: “Bye-bye, boss!” she told her employer, and quit her job on the spot. The retiree had no plans to return to work.

Ticket details from January 13 draw

The winning numbers for the January 13, 2026 Lotto Max draw were 14, 18, 21, 22, 32, 42, 46, with bonus number 33. A second prize of $158,502.10 went to a ticket in Ontario that matched six numbers plus the bonus. Thirty-seven people across Canada shared the third prize, each receiving $4,283.80. No one in British Columbia won the $500,000 secondary prize, and no Ontario ticket claimed the $1 million Encore prize.

What to watch

Quebec online lottery players receive direct notification from Loto-Québec when they win—a system that reached Sirois the very next morning without her needing to check the results herself.

Where in Quebec was the Lotto Max won?

The winning ticket was registered to the Capitale-Nationale region, the administrative area that encompasses Quebec City and surrounding municipalities. Loto-Québec confirmed the ticket came from within the province, and the corporation handled notification directly given the online purchase method.

Quebec City as winning location

CityNews Montreal reported on January 14 that a ticket sold in Quebec had claimed the $14 million jackpot, ending the prize hunt shortly after the draw was completed. Loto-Québec’s subsequent press release identified the winner as a Capitale-Nationale resident, placing the win squarely in the Quebec City area.

Ticket sold details

Unlike many lottery winners who purchase tickets at retail locations, Sirois bought hers through Loto-Québec’s digital gaming website. This online purchase method meant Loto-Québec already had her contact information and could reach her directly—rather than relying on her to discover the win herself. The official winners story is permanently archived in Loto-Québec’s online gallery.

The upshot

Online ticket purchases mean the lottery corporation can proactively contact winners within 24 hours—a system that worked exactly as designed for Sirois.

Can you stay anonymous after winning the lottery in Quebec?

Quebec lottery winners have the option to remain anonymous, and Karine Sirois exercised that choice in her public communications. While Loto-Québec released her first name and general profile (“fifty-something retiree”), she did not appear at a public press conference or disclose her full identity beyond the official story. This approach is legally available to Quebec winners and has become an increasingly common choice among large prize recipients across Canada.

Quebec anonymity rules

Unlike some jurisdictions where lottery winners’ identities are automatically public record, Quebec permits winners to control how much personal information enters the public sphere. Sirois’ story appears in Loto-Québec’s winners archive under a profile format that highlights her reaction and retirement decision rather than her personal circumstances. Winners can engage with the lottery corporation on their own terms, sharing only what they choose.

Public disclosure options

Loto-Québec’s standard process involves a voluntary story program where winners can opt into media coverage, photography, or public appearances. Sirois participated in a written story rather than a filmed interview or public event. The press release identified her by first name and region only, leaving the door open for additional privacy if she desires it in subsequent phases.

Bottom line: Quebec winners can choose how much they reveal. Sirois shared her reaction and retirement decision without exposing her identity. For anyone who finds themselves in her position, anonymity is an available option.

Does Quebec tax you on lottery winnings?

Lottery winnings are not subject to provincial income tax in Quebec—nor anywhere else in Canada. The $14,000,000 prize that Sirois won is hers to claim in full from a provincial tax perspective. However, federal tax considerations may apply depending on investment structure and the winner’s overall financial situation. The prize is announced as exactly $14,000,000 before taxes, meaning the gross figure is clear even before any downstream planning decisions.

No provincial tax on winnings

Quebec does not levy income tax on lottery prizes, a policy consistent across all Canadian provinces. Unlike salary income or business revenue, a one-time windfall from the lottery carries no provincial tax obligation. This means Sirois’ full $14 million crosses the provincial threshold without any reduction—though she may choose to seek financial advice on how to structure any investments that could generate future taxable income.

Federal tax implications in Canada

While the prize itself arrives tax-free at the provincial level, any interest earned on the invested sum or income generated through investment structures could become taxable in future years. Financial advisors typically recommend that major winners consult with tax professionals before making any substantial investment decisions. The Loto-Québec claim process does not withhold taxes at source; the full $14 million is transferred to the winner, who then bears responsibility for any subsequent tax planning.

The catch

The full $14 million arrives tax-free in Quebec—but without a plan, investment returns could create a tax bill down the road. Winners who seek professional advice immediately have the most control over what happens next.

What to do if you win the lottery in Canada

Winning a major lottery prize involves a specific sequence of steps that most Canadians never consider until it happens to them. From signing the ticket to choosing financial advisors, the actions taken in the first weeks can shape the outcome for years. Karine Sirois received a direct call from Loto-Québec, but not every winner is contacted so promptly—knowing the process matters.

Claim process steps

  • Sign the back of the ticket immediately. This establishes ownership and prevents anyone else from claiming it if the ticket is lost or stolen.
  • Keep the ticket in a safe place. Treat it like a major asset—store it securely and document its location.
  • Contact the provincial lottery corporation. For Quebec residents, Loto-Québec manages all claims. Online purchasers like Sirois are contacted directly, but retail ticket winners should initiate contact.
  • Verify the win through official channels. Check results on the lottery corporation’s website or app rather than relying on media reports, which may contain errors.
  • Confirm your identity with valid government ID. The claim process requires proof of identity before any funds are released.
  • Request a secure claims appointment. Major prizes require in-person verification, typically at a designated lottery office.

Financial advice post-win

Financial advisors universally recommend that lottery winners take several immediate steps: assemble a team of trusted professionals (tax accountant, investment advisor, attorney), avoid making major financial decisions in the first weeks, resist the urge to inform everyone immediately, and establish boundaries around who has access to the news. The Loto-Québec process provides winners with information about claiming timelines, but the corporation does not provide financial planning services—that’s entirely the winner’s responsibility.

The implication

Sirois was contacted by Loto-Québec within 24 hours—but retail ticket buyers must initiate contact themselves. Waiting too long or losing the ticket can complicate or prevent a claim.

Timeline

Three major Canadian jackpots landed in the span of two weeks, with Sirois’ win completing a rapid-fire sequence of Lotto Max prizes.

  • December 30, 2025: An $80 million Lotto Max jackpot was won in London, Ontario (Daily Hive)
  • January 9, 2026: A $55 million Lotto Max jackpot was won in Eastern Ontario (Daily Hive)
  • January 13, 2026: The $14 million Lotto Max draw occurred; winning numbers were 14, 18, 21, 22, 32, 42, 46 with bonus 33 (Daily Hive)
  • January 14, 2026: Loto-Québec contacted Karine Sirois; the jackpot was claimed by the Quebec ticket (Loto-Québec Press Release)
  • January 16, 2026: The next Lotto Max draw reset the jackpot to $10 million (Daily Hive)
  • January 22, 2026: Loto-Québec issued the official press release naming Karine Sirois as the $14 million winner (Loto-Québec Press Release)
Bottom line: Within two weeks, three Canadians won Lotto Max jackpots totaling over $149 million—the $14 million Quebec win being the final prize in a remarkable streak.

Confirmed and Unconfirmed

Most facts around Karine Sirois’ win are confirmed through official sources, though a few details remain unavailable.

Confirmed

  • $14 million won in Capitale-Nationale, Quebec
  • Online ticket purchased via Loto-Québec website
  • Winner is fifty-something and retired immediately
  • Loto-Québec contacted her on January 14, 2026
  • Press release issued January 22, 2026 from Montréal

Unconfirmed

  • Exact address or municipality within Capitale-Nationale
  • Whether Sirois has engaged financial advisors
  • Whether she plans additional public appearances

What people are saying

“Bye-bye, boss!” — Karine Sirois, speaking to her employer after confirming her $14 million Lotto Max win (Loto-Québec Press Release)

“Loto-Québec contacted her to inform her she’d won the $14,000,000 Lotto Max jackpot.” — Loto-Québec, describing the notification process for online ticket winners (Loto-Québec Press Release)

The contrast between Sirois’ casual goodbye to her employer and the life-changing sum she had just won underscores a reality that most lottery winners describe: the moment doesn’t feel real until days or weeks later. Her immediate decision to retire reflects a choice many windfall recipients face—return to normal life or step away entirely.

Why this matters

Sirois didn’t discover her win through a convenience store scanner or a late-night check—she was told the next morning by the people who run the lottery. Online ticket purchases create a fundamentally different winner experience, one where the corporation becomes an active participant in the revelation rather than a passive administrator.

Related reading: best online slots Canada · Globe and Mail News

Additional sources

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This Quebec retiree’s prompt claim contrasts with the unclaimed $15M Ontario Lotto Max jackpot from the January 20 draw in Brant County, which remains unclaimed.

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Frequently asked questions

Was the $14M Lotto Max ticket sold in Quebec?

Yes. CityNews Montreal reported on January 14, 2026, that a ticket sold in Quebec had claimed the $14 million jackpot. Loto-Québec’s official press release confirmed the winner as a Capitale-Nationale resident.

What are common mistakes lottery winners make?

Financial advisors consistently identify several recurring errors: rushing into major purchases, telling too many people too soon, failing to assemble a professional team before making decisions, and not protecting the ticket immediately by signing it and storing it securely.

What is the biggest Lotto Max jackpot ever?

Prior to Sirois’ win, an $80 million Lotto Max jackpot was won in London, Ontario, on December 30, 2025. That prize was followed nine days later by a $55 million win in Eastern Ontario on January 9, 2026, before the $14 million Quebec draw on January 13.

How does Lotto Max differ from Lotto 6/49?

Lotto Max allows players to select seven numbers from a 50-number pool, with two additional bonus numbers, creating larger jackpots through a cap system where the top prize rolls over until it is won. Lotto 6/49 uses a 49-number pool with a single bonus and typically offers smaller guaranteed jackpots with higher base odds.

Are lottery winnings taxable in Canada?

Lottery prizes are not subject to provincial income tax anywhere in Canada. The full prize amount transfers to the winner without deduction at the provincial level. However, investment returns generated from the prize could become taxable in future years, and federal tax implications may arise depending on how the funds are structured.

Can Canadian lottery winners stay anonymous?

Rules vary by province. In Quebec, winners can choose how much personal information to disclose—Sirois shared her first name, general age range, and her immediate reaction (retiring) without revealing her full identity. Some provinces require public disclosure of winner names and photographs, particularly for larger prizes.

What was the $55 million Lotto Max jackpot about?

On January 9, 2026—four days before Sirois’ win—a $55 million Lotto Max jackpot was claimed by a ticket sold in Eastern Ontario. That win preceded the $14 million Quebec draw and the earlier $80 million prize won in London, Ontario on December 30, 2025, forming a streak of three major jackpots within two weeks.

For Quebecers who play the lottery, Sirois’ story carries a practical lesson: the province’s online notification system works exactly as designed, reaching a winner within 24 hours without requiring her to check results herself. Whether you’ve been playing for decades or just bought your first ticket, the mechanics of winning—and the steps that follow—are worth understanding before the draw ever happens. The $14 million is now in the hands of someone who walked away from her job the same week she learned she had it.