Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Won't Step Down After Admitting Smoking Crack Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will not step down from office even after admitting today that he smoked crack cocaine. To the residents of Toronto, I know I have let you down, and I can't do anything else but apologize. 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," an emotional Ford said. Voters have a choice. On October 27 of 2014 I want the people of this great city to decide whether they want rob ford to be their mayor," he said. Ford made his defiant statements at a news conference just hours after he admitted to reporters that he had in fact smoked crack, following months of reports about a video that allegedly shows Ford inhaling from a pipe. Following his admission, Toronto City Council members asked Ford to take a leave of absence and speculation grew about a possible resignation. But at 4 p.m., Ford invited reporters into his office for a public apology. "With today's announcement, I know I embarrassed everyone in the city and I will be forever sorry," he said. I feel like a thousand pounds have been lifted off my shoulders. I can't explain how difficult this was to do.  Ford also said that he had "nothing left to hide." His term as mayor since he was elected in 2010 has been plagued by scandal and speculation. Last week, an associate of Ford's was arrested for drug trafficking and extortion relating to the video that allegedly showed Ford inhaling from a crack pipe. I want to be crystal clear to every single person: these mistakes will never, ever, ever happen again. I have kept this from my family, my brother Doug, my staff, and my Council colleagues because I was embarrassed," he said. Ford appeared in front of reporters at City Hall around noon today and asked them to repeat a question they had asked him six months ago, in May, when allegations first surfaced that Ford had been videotaped smoking crack.