It was a 鈥渇erry-tale鈥� welcome home to Vancouver Island for Courtenay鈥檚 Frederick Pelletier, who learned he won $1 million from the Aug. 2 Lotto 6/49 draw after arriving at Departure Bay terminal.

His wife, who was waiting in the car while Pelletier stopped for coffee and decided to check his ticket, didn鈥檛 believe the life-changing win was reality.

鈥淪he called me a liar,鈥� recalled Pelletier, who brought his wife back into Scuttlebutt News so she could see for herself.

Pelletier hasn鈥檛 fully decided on what鈥檚 next thanks to his big win but does plan to help his son 鈥� whom he had just visited 鈥� as well as to travel and add to his investments.

鈥淸This win] will change my son鈥檚 life. We have thought about taking trips, now the things we discussed are more in reach.鈥�

On how it feels to win $1 million?

鈥淚t has still not sunk in!鈥�

Pelletier purchased the winning ticket at the Shell station on Island Highway and Headquarters Road in Courtenay.

So far in 2023, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $89 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49.