Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Won't Resign After Admitting He Smoked Crack

By James Brown

Nov 05, 2013 05:23 PM EST

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford won't resign after admitting he smoked crack cocaine reportedly "in one of his drunken stupors".

During a press conference, Mayor Ford apologized for smoking crack a year ago, fact he admitted earlier in the day in front on reporters.

"Yes I have smoked crack cocaine," Rob Ford told reporters. "But no, do I? Am I an addict? No. Have I have tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately about a year ago."

"I was elected to do a job and that's exactly what I am going to continue doing," he said defending himself and apologizing repeatedly. "Folks, I have nothing left to hide."

Ford apologized to his family and city at the same time he informed he won't take a leave of absence.

Here is the full transcript of his speech:

"I embarrassed everyone in the city and I will be forever sorry. There is only one person to blame for this and that is myself.
I know admitting my mistake was the right thing to do and I feel like 1000 pounds have been lifted off my shoulders.

I can't explain how difficult this was to do. I hope, I hope that nobody, that nobody has to go through what I have gone through.
I know what I did was wrong and admitting it was the most difficult and embarrassing thing I have ever had to do.
Folks, I have nothing left to hide.

I would do anything, absolutely anything, to change the past. But the past is the past, and we must move forward. I want to be clear; I want to be crystal clear to every single person: these mistakes will never, ever, ever happen again.

I kept this from my family, especially my brother Doug. My staff, my council colleagues, because I was embarrassed and ashamed.
To the residents of Toronto: I know I have let you down and I can't do anything else but apologize. I'm so sorry.
I know, I know I have to regain your trust and your confidence. I love my job. I love my job and I love this city. I love saving taxpayers money and I love being your mayor.

There's important work that we must advance and important decisions that must be made.
For the sake of the taxpayers of this great city, for the sake of the taxpayers, we must get back to work immediately. We must keep Toronto moving forward. I was elected to do a job and that's exactly what I'm going to continue doing.

In 2010, I made a commitment to Toronto voters. I have delivered on that commitment and I will continue to deliver on that commitment of saving taxpayers money. But they have a choice. We live in a democracy and on Oct. 27 of 2014 I want the people of this great city to decide whether they want Rob Ford to be their mayor. Again, I sincerely, sincerely, sincerely apologize.

God bless the people of Toronto. Thank you very much."