As He’s Urged To Get Help, Toronto Mayor Says He’s No Addict

Already Wednesday at Toronto’s City Hall:

— Mayor Rob Ford has admitted to purchasing illegal drugs in recent years, while also insisting that, “I am not an alcoholic … I am not a drug addict.”

— He’s gotten into a shouting match with a city councillor over whether the residence where he was allegedly videotaped smoking crack was or was not a crack house.

— He’s refused to apologize to another city councillor for an alleged threat.

— He’s responded, again, to calls that he resign by saying, “I’m not going anywhere.”

— Councillors have voted overwhelmingly to take up a petition calling on him to step aside and take a leave of absence so that he can be treated for what they see as his problems with alcohol and illegal drugs. The council cannot force him to step down unless he’s convicted of a crime, and he is not facing any charges at this time.

If high-octane debate is your kind of must-see TV, click on this link to see CTV’s webcast.

If you need to catch up on this amazing story from Toronto, our coverage is collected here.

Or, just scan some of our previous headlines:

— Police Have Video That Led To Claim Toronto Mayor Used Crack

— Toronto Mayor: ‘Yes, I Have Smoked Crack Cocaine’

— He’s ‘Extremely Inebriated’ In New Video, Toronto Mayor Says

— Toronto Mayor Advised To ‘Go Away For A Couple Of Weeks’

Update at 12:30 p.m. ET. A Break For Lunch:

The council has adjourned for an hour or so.

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