Rob Ford returns: Promises and apologies from Toronto's disgraced mayor

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford returned to city hall on Monday with a series of apologies and promises to hopefully conclude a years-long debacle that brought shame and embarrassment to Canada’s largest city.

Ford has taken a temporary leave of absence from his job in May, amid a series of reports detailing the use of crack cocaine and a series of racist and sexist comments made during several drunken binges.

Ford has been receiving treatment at Greenstone Residential Addiction Facility in Ontario’s Muskoka Region and says he received hundreds of hours of "intensive therapy" that saved his life.

"I learned that my addiction was really a disease, a chronic medical condition that will require treatment for the rest of my life," Ford said.

In his speech, Ford offered several apologies and made various promises about his future behaviour, the veracity and sincerity of which will be tested over time.

[ More Brew: Rob Ford offers apology and campaign speech in return ]

Apologies

"When I look back at some of the things I have said and some of the things I have did when I was using, I am ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated. I was wrong and I have no one, but no one to blame but myself."

"I want to sincerely, sincerely apologize not just to the people of Toronto but every single person who was hurt by my words and my actions. It was never, never, my intention to embarrass the city or offend my fellow members of council."

"I deeply regret some of the personal choices I have made in the past."

"To the people of this great city, I want to offer a public apology. I used poor judgment and I take full responsibility for my actions."

"To my fellow councillors, and especially to Karen Stintz, for my hurtful and degrading remarks I offer a deep-felt apology for my behaviour."

Promises

"I now realize that I was blind to the dangers of some of the company that I kept and those associations have ended."

"My commitment to living clean is now unwavering."

"At Greenstone I accepted that in my position (as mayor), I am held to a higher standard."

"Substance abuse is a very, very difficult thing to overcome. But I will keep, I will keep battling this disease for the rest of my life. I will continue to receive ongoing professional treatment for my substance abuse problem."

"I am absolutely determined to make myself the best person I can be for my family, for the people of Toronto. And with your support I’m also resolved to continue to work harder than ever for the taxpayers of this great city.”

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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