Mayor Rob Ford speaks to the media in Toronto on Nov. 5, 2013.FERNANDO MORALES/The Globe and Mail
Statement from Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, delivered at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon: for video of the press conference, watch here.
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 that admitting my mistake was the right thing to do and I feel like 1,000 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 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, love saving taxpayers' money and 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 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.