I don't know about non canadians paying tax on their winnings but if a canadian wins the lottery they pay no tax at all, at least in Ontario anyway.

We have lotteries in most if not all provinces, so tax may be required in some, but I don't think so.

Also we have various lotteries in Ontario, such as Lotto 6/49, Super 7 , Pick 3, Winner Take all etc, etc.

Your friend's father probably won $12 million in Canadian dollars, which is still a nice piece of change in any currency. Would he like to adopt me ?.