Is Toronto getting what it deserves?
Ah, Toronto. Home of the CN Tower. Home of Canada's only NBA franchise and the financial heart of the nation.
And now, Toronto is home to Canada's crack-smoking mayor.
Long mocked for its condescending attitudes and centre-of-the-universe perspectives, Canada's most populous city has become a laughingstock on the global stage over the past few months, courtesy of their far-from-humble leader, Rob Ford.
On Tuesday, after months of accusations, denials and mounting evidence, Ford admitted to smoking crack cocaine, but refused to surrender the reins to the city.
"I love my job, I love this city," Ford said in a statement late Tuesday. "I love saving the taxpayers money and I love being your mayor."
More on Rob Ford:
Rob Ford will not step down after smoking crack cocaine
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s full crack admission
Jon Stewart mixes laughter with concern over Rob Ford's drug issues
Rob Ford's brother, Doug Ford, demands Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair step down
Full coverage: Rob Ford
Ah, how Torontonians must long for the good old days, when Mel Lastman was calling in the Army to handle snow removal, or fearing that he'd end up in a pot of boiling water during a visit to Kenya.
As if 47 years of Stanley Cup futility for the country's trademark hockey franchise wasn't enough. As if permanent downtown gridlock wasn't enough. As if million-dollar mortgages for one-bedroom condos wasn't enough.
No, now Torontonians will have to learn to live with their crack-smoking mayor who refuses to step aside despite his admitted problems. In fact, Ford's popularity has actually increased since the latest allegations arose, as his suburban stronghold of Ford Nation followers rallies around the self-proclaimed opponent of gravy-train politics.
Regardless of how city council acts to limit his power, Ford could very well be re-elected as Toronto's mayor in next October's municipal election.
And it just might serve Toronto right.
So we ask you: Is Toronto getting what it deserves?