Many expected Rob Ford to resign or take a leave of absence to attend rehab, but Toronto's mayor was apologetic, yet defiant, during a dramatic press conference at City Hall Tuesday afternoon.
Ford apologized repeatedly during his speech, just hours after he admitted that he has smoked crack cocaine. At times, the mayor appeared to be on the verge of tears.
But Ford said he isn't going anywhere, at least not until the next election in October of 2014.
Read the full transcript of Ford's statement below.
"With today's announcement, I know I embarrassed everyone in this 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 a thousand 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 wanna 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 and apologize. And 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, I love this city, I love saving taxpayers money, I love being your mayor. There is 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 the commitment of saving taxpayers money.
But they have a choice, we live in a democracy, and on October 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 Toronto. Thank you very much."
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