Manitobans who are making the choice to get vaccinated against COVID-19 will be entered into a unique lottery this summer. Nearly $2 million in cash and scholarships will be given away, further encouraging people to get their jab as quickly as possible.
“Vaccination is the fastest way to overcome COVID-19 and safely restore our services and activities,” says Premier Brian Pallister. “Urgency is important. We need Manitobans to get vaccinated to protect each other and protect our health-care system. The sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we can get our lives back. This lottery gives Manitobans even more reasons to roll up their sleeves—not once, but twice.”
There will be two lottery draws over the summer. Every Manitoban aged 12 and up who has received at least one dose of vaccine on or before August 2 will be entered automatically.
The second draw will take place on September 6 and include everyone who has gotten at least two doses by that time.
For each draw, seven individual prizes of $100,000 will be given away—three to people in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and one each for people living in Prairie Mountain Health, Southern Health, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health, and the Northern Regional Health Authority.
There will also be 10 draws for $25,000 scholarships to be given to young people between the ages of 12 to 17 across the province, for a total of $250,000.
The government has assured the public that they have instituted a process to ensure all information used for the purposes of the draw is protected and secure.
Each draw will be held once the eligible immunizations have been entered into a provincial database after the lottery deadlines. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries will be responsible for conducting the lotteries and a third-party auditor will provide additional oversight.
“Trust and accountability are an integral part of every lottery, and we will ensure that all Manitobans can have confidence in the fairness and integrity of this process,” says Manny Atwal, president and CEO of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. “As we have seen in other jurisdictions, lotteries can act as an incentive to encourage vaccination. We are proud of our role in the goal to get as many Manitobans immunized as quickly as possible.”
This includes setting out how Manitobans who were vaccinated outside of the province may ensure their eligibility by reporting their vaccination to a public health office. Any Manitoban who wishes not to be part of the lottery may opt out via a simple process to be outlined in the near future.
