Toronto's embattled mayor, Rob Ford, admitted in the city's council chamber on Wednesday that he has bought illegal drugs in the last two years. Speaking after Toronto City Council almost unanimously urged him to take a break from his duties, Ford said he could not change the past and would continue his efforts as mayor to save Toronto money. Asked if he had bought illegal drugs in the past two years, he replied somberly: 'Yes, I have.'

Last week, the scandal-hit mayor admitted that he smoked crack cocaine 'while in a drunken stupor,' and Wednesday's call from council came in its first meeting since that admission. An Ipsos-Reid poll conducted for several TV and radio stations and published on Wednesday showed that 76 per cent of Toronto voters believe Ford should step down or take leave of absence. Report by Mark Morris..