Beaming with pride and brimming with emotion, residents of the North bid goodbye to the Canada Winter Games on Saturday afternoon.

After 16 days, nearly 500 medals divided among more than 2,600 athletes and thousands of memories, the 2007 edition of the Games came to a close with a final ceremony chock-full of northern culture and flair.

'As I'm sure all of you have learned over the past two weeks, you can't beat the warmth of traditional northern hospitality,' Jim Prentice, the federal minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, told the thousands of people gathered at ATCO Place.

'After these Games, all Canadians will certainly be looking up north. Congratulations, Whitehorse. These Games have been rich in excitement, in spectacle and in variety.'

Prentice's words were the latest in a long line of praise which began from the moment visitors arrived in the Yukon and will undoubtedly continue long after the last of the Games' visitors has left.

From athletes to parents, mission staff and volunteers, everyone seemed pleased with their Games experience. They gave the thumbs-up to everything, from transportation to food, venues and sleeping arrangements.

'We've been repeatedly told these two weeks that the Whitehorse 2007 Canada Games are the best ever,' said Mayor Bev Buckway, to the roar of the crowd. 'Whitehorse gracefully accepts that compliment. Thank you, Whitehorse residents, thank you Yukoners and thank you Canadians.'

Even Team Yukon itself received a pat on the back from its peers, nabbing the Jack Pelech Award. It's presented to the territorial or provincial team which best combines competitive performance, good sportsmanship and the spirit of friendship, co-operation and fair play.

It's an award voted on by ballot throughout the Games and presented by the interprovincial sport and recreation council.

Also announced at the closing ceremony was the winner of the Centennial Cup, Team Saskatchewan. The Cup goes to the team which displayed the most improvement from the last winter Games, which were held in New Brunswick in 2003.

Team Ontario was this year's winner of the Canada Games flag, which is based on flag points. Points are determined not only by results or the number of medals, but also participation.

Quebec actually ended up with the most medals (122), while Ontario had 112.

Team Ontario was also acknowledged at a press conference earlier in the day, as Claude Mailhot, Quebec's assistant deputy minister of Sport and Recreation, presented the Claude Hardy Award for outstanding mission staff.

'Claude was a huge man in every way, but especially in his heart,' said Mailhot, who pointed to the book drive organized by Team Ontario as just one of the reasons why they were given the award.

Their mission staff donated 5,600 books, which they brought with them from the eastern province, to aboriginal youth in the territory.

Blair McIntosh, the Chef de Mission for Team Ontario, said the award is an incredible honour for his team, for a couple of reasons. One, because it was their first time winning the award, and two, because Hardy was such an incredible man.

'The values he had are in every one of our staff selected this year,' said a proud McIntosh.

Sue Hylland, president and CEO of the Canada Games Council, used her final words at both the press conference and the closing ceremony to highlight the importance of the Games to athlete development and urge all of the athletes to cherish every moment.

'Remember this moment when you stand on a podium in the future at the international level,' said Hyland. She pointed out more than 50 per cent of Canada's 2006 Olympic team came from the Canada Games.

And if the 2007 Games are any indication, the country is in good hands athletically, said Helen Guergis, the federal secretary of state for Sport and Recreation.

The efforts and performances of every athlete over the past two weeks, she said, 'have proven that Canada will own the podium in 2010.'

But before the entire country shifts focus to the Olympic Games in Vancouver, Prince Edward Island will get its moment in the spotlight, as the 2009 Canada Summer Games converge on the province for the first time since 1991.

A video montage at Saturday's ceremony kicked off a new countdown.

'It is now our bittersweet duty to pass the torch to the great people of Prince Edward Island, who will undoubtedly take it up and will reach even greater heights,' said Piers McDonald, president of the 2007 Canada Games Host Society.

Bryn Knight, a two-time bronze medal winner for Team Yukon in cross-country skiing, carried the torch for the territory one final time before passing it off to P.E.I.

Knight's medals, which came in the women's individual classic race and the women's relay, were part of a marked improvement in the overall standings for Team Yukon, which failed to bring back any medals in 2003.

On home turf, the local athletes claimed four medals this time around, including a gold by cross-country skier David Greer in the men's individual classic and a bronze by Amber Saunders in women's judo.

Combined with numerous inspiring performances and countless hours of dedication from the more than 3,000 volunteers, Canada Games alumni and former Olympian Lucy Steele-Masson said the territory really outdid itself.

'The most proud I ever felt to be a Yukoner was when I competed as a Canada Games athlete. I'd say that's changed now. I'd say the most proud I am to be a Yukoner is the way we've pulled this off the last couple of weeks.

'I see a town that has risen to the occasion, a town that walks taller and smiles broader. I hope we are able to carry that pride with us.'