Quebec Announces CA$2 Million Lotto Vax Promo

Last Friday the Health Minister of Quebec, Christian Dubé announced that the province is the latest one to launch a lottery vaccination incentive promotion. There will be over CA$2,000,000 in prizes distributed to individuals, as the local government is trying to encourage more people to get the jab against the unprecedented situation.

The vaccination process in the province has hit a little bit of a cooldown as adults between the age of 18 and 29 still fall behind older demographics. With around 69 percent of them being immunized with at least one dose of a vaccine. In comparison over 73% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 have also been vaccinated with at least one dose.

Additional Incentive

On Friday Health Minister Dubé officially announced the first of its kind at the province lottery incentive vaccination promo. He stated that it will be a chance to reward already vaccinated individuals and those who are yet to do it. And he explained that the registration process will begin online in July and that the goal is to get more eligible locals to get immunized.

There will be four draws during the special lotto campaign, which will take place during August and will be held every Friday. Each draw will feature a main prize of CA$150,000 for a total of CA$600,000 during the four draws. Then in September will be the grand prize of CA$1,000,000 for 18 years old or older and have received both shots of a vaccine.

Finance Minister Eric Girard said that the lottery promo is another way to help the province reach its vaccination goals. In order for people to qualify for the grand prize, they must have received their second dose by August 31. The new lottery will also feature prizes for children aged from 12 to 17, as the winners in the demographic will be awarded bursaries from CA$10,000 to CA$20,000 for school.

Mr. Dubé further stated that each percentage point equals 75,000 new people being vaccinated and according to him every penny of the promotion is worth it as the province should be ready for September 1. He concluded by saying that the goal is to have as many vaccinated residents as possible in order to prevent a new wave when students return to school and the cold weather comes in the autumn.

Similar Promotions Across the Country

Manitoba is another Canadian jurisdiction that has adopted the initiative of a lotto vaccination campaign. Last week the province revealed that every vaccinated resident will be eligible for the draw and that there will be three CA$100,000 for the Winnipeg health region and one for each four other health regions in the province. Also, there will be 10 CA$25,000 scholarships prizes for eligible children from 12 to 17.

Alberta has also implemented the special lotto program as a way of getting more people immunized and its official name is Open for Summer. The campaign has already started and it now has its first major winner, as Tracey McIvor from Langdon is the winner of the first draw. The lucky ticket holder will have the impressive award of CA$1,000,000. Additionally, there will be two more draws awarding one million each.

Source: Laframboise, Kalina “Quebec launches $2 million COVID-19 vaccine lottery to drive up numbers”, Global News, July 16, 2021