Toronto Mayor Rob Ford asked for forgiveness Monday , his first day back to work following a two-month leave of absence for substance abuse treatment . `` To the people of this great city , I want to offer a public apology , '' said the embattled mayor at a news conference . `` I used poor judgment and I take full responsibility for my actions . '' In May , Ford announced that he 'd be taking a break after reports of a video that allegedly showed him smoking crack cocaine surfaced -- apparently the final setback in a year full of them for a man who said Monday that he was in `` complete denial '' about his substance abuse . `` When I look back on some of the things I said and some of the things I did when I was using , I am ashamed , embarrassed , and humiliated , '' he said . The Canadian mayor 's public unraveling began in May 2013 when cell phone video surfaced that appeared to show Ford smoking crack cocaine . He denied any wrongdoing and defiantly brushed aside calls for his resignation , even after the city council stripped him of most of his power . Ford pledged to quit drinking and adopt a healthy lifestyle , but after another embarrassing video appeared on social media in January -- one in which he incoherently mocked the city 's police chief -- Ford admitted to suffering a setback . Though he offered apologies Monday to `` every single person who was hurt by ( his ) words and actions , '' one thing Ford did not offer was his resignation . In fact , the mayor -- who is seeking another term -- doubled down . `` I look forward to serving you for many , many more years '' he said .
Mayor Rob Ford vowed to keep the people of Toronto . After a series of public appearances , he spent two months at a rehab facility . ` ` To the people of this great city , I want to offer a public apology ''