Quebec man wins $30 million in lottery, says he doesn't want to change

May 3, 2006, 12:45 pm (16 comments)

Canada Super 7

A 48-year-old accountant who has just pocketed more than $30 million after winning a lottery says he's not sure he's going to give any money to his siblings.

Yves Dubeau, an amateur painter for more than 20 years, quit his job Monday and said he wants to open an art gallery where his own paintings and those of his friends can be viewed. Dubeau won $30,011,440, which one Loto-Quebec spokesman called the biggest-ever payout for one person in a Canadian lottery.

Of the amount, Dubeau has decided to invest $30 million for a year, leaving him just more than $11,000 to play around with.

But the childless bachelor, who lives in St-Felix-de-Valois, about 80 kilometres northeast of Montreal, says he can always get a line of credit for his first few big buys — a diamond ring and a new car.

Although Dubeau says he wants to create a foundation to support his brother's missionary work in Africa, the brother and two sisters may not be as fortunate.

"I don't think so," Dubeau replied when asked if he would give them money.

"I have no idea. I don't think so. In the short term, I don't think so. I am the only winner."

Asked the same question later, Dubeau replied: "Usually I'm pretty generous. It's quite possible but everything will depend on my plans."

Dubeau won the Super-7 lottery on Friday and found out about the windfall as he checked the Internet on Saturday morning.

Canada's latest multimillionaire says he wants to stay the same but that it's out of his hands.

"I would like not to change," he said. "Everything will depend on people's behaviour.

"If I can continue to do what I like — painting, playing squash, going to the restaurant Saturday morning, Sunday morning, Monday morning, Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning — without getting bothered, it will be possible."

Dubeau normally spends $3 or $4 on every draw but splashed out $17 or $18 for last Friday's lottery.

He owes a debt of gratitude to an employee of the store where he put on the winning combination. The woman had to put some liquid paper on the sheet to cover some dark smudges before she could get it through.

Lottery Post Staff

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bellyache's avatarbellyache

A 48-year-old accountant who has just pocketed more than $30 million after winning a lottery says he's not sure he's going to give any money to his siblings.

Although Dubeau says he wants to create a foundation to support his brother's missionary work in Africa, the brother and two sisters may not be as fortunate.

"I don't think so," Dubeau replied when asked if he would give them money.

"I have no idea. I don't think so. In the short term, I don't think so. I am the only winner."


The man is free to do what he wants with his money, but I think he should of just said that what he does with his money is private instead of saying I'm not going to give anything to my family. Seems a bit cold.

orangeman

Someone once said that you don't change, but your friends do.

Orangeman                            Unhappy

tg636

There has to be an understanding when you give someone a large amount of money - that you are not an ATM, that it will be a one time only gift and that if they blow it or if they need a new car etc. there will be no running to the rich brother or uncle for the cash. He is keeping his options open the way I would if I won.  And other people really don't know the dynamics of a family. For example, there could have been a point in his life when he was unemployed and really down and out and no one gave him a dime that he doesn't care to publicly mention, but which colors his decision.

bellyache's avatarbellyache

Like I said he is free to do what he wants with his money. I too believe that he shouldn't become an ATM machine and if he doesn't want to give his sibilings anything that is fine too, but I still think he could have kept it private.

justxploring's avatarjustxploring

Staying as private as possible is always the best thing, although sometimes it's better to just get it over with as many people have written on this board. I've been interviewed by the press to comment on some issues and not everything I said was printed the way I meant it.  From reading this article, it seems as if he was so excited that he just blurted out a lot of different answers for the press. Obviously, if his first plan was to help a Mission in Africa, he has a good heart. He was probably overwhelmed with all the publicity. I think investing it for a year to get his affairs in order makes a lot of sense. I certainly wouldn't want people judging me and telling me how to spend my money. But maybe he was asked "Will you split the money with your family" and he answered that he was the only winner. Just one word can change the entire meaning. 

DoubleDown

He will change his mind after the buzz wears off...

BaristaExpress's avatarBaristaExpress

The man is free to do what he wants with his money, but I think he should of just said that what he does with his money is private instead of saying I'm not going to give anything to my family. Seems a bit cold.

What he said about not giving any of the money to the family, may seem a bit cold and all. But he just might have his reasons as to making it public that he wouldn't give them any! Ever think of that, huh? Remember there are a lot of those types of people out there who wish to get something for free by any means possible, they could target his family, if they thought he would pay up! I see him heading that possibility off right from the start by saying what he said! 

bellyache's avatarbellyache

Ever think of that, huh?

No need to get defensive. It was opinion. I can feel he was to open about it if I want to. Deal.

BaristaExpress's avatarBaristaExpress

Sorry, if I came off defensive. I was just making a strong point to your comment! I apologize.

bellyache's avatarbellyache

I apologize too. I shouldn't have gotten upset about it. Smile

Timmer692002's avatarTimmer692002

Maybe I'm being cynical, but if it were here in the states, there will be a lawsuit filed by the store clerk.

Esp. when he himself said,  'He owes a debt of gratitude to an employee of the store where he put on the winning combination. The woman had to put some liquid paper on the sheet to cover some dark smudges before she could get it through.

She might/probably claim she had some stake in it because she clarified his numbers.

I know, too cynical.

rdc137

I'm sure my reaction would be a lot colder to the press questions.

Q: "What are you going to do with the money?"

A: "None of your business."

Q: "Do you plan to give to charities?"

A: "No."

Either that or I'd just stand there and say nothing to any questions.

I don't feel it's anyone's business what a person does with their money. It's theirs to blow or to save.

golotto

Mr Dubeau seems to have a good handle on managing his finances. I appreciate the candidness and honesty of his answers. The fact that he already has tucked away nearly all his winnings for at least a year is impressive.

CASH Only

Mr Dubeau seems to have a good handle on managing his finances. I appreciate the candidness and honesty of his answers. The fact that he already has tucked away nearly all his winnings for at least a year is impressive.

Obviously, with the US tax laws, he would not have been able to do this in the States.

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