Toronto mayor troubled by crack scandal, policy advisor resigns

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is another man short in his camp after his long-time policy advisor resigned Wednesday, a day after Ford's stunning confession to using crack cocaine.

Brooks Barnett is just one of at least nine staffers who either quit or were fired since the scandal surfaced in May when some local media revealed they had seen a clear video of the mayor smoking what looked to be crack from a glass pipe, while muttering racist slurs.

A group of roughly 100 protesters were outside the City Hall on Wednesday, calling on the mayor of Canada's biggest city to step down.

An embattled Ford had been dodging the question about drug use for months, denying such a video existed and called the reports about the video "ridiculous."

But after Toronto police chief Bill Blair confirmed at a press conference last Thursday that a tape that is "consistent" with media reports did exist, a media firestorm ensued, with all eyes on Ford.

The apologetic mayor finally addressed months of speculation and confessed to reporters in a scrum late Tuesday.

"Yes, I did smoke crack cocaine. But I am not an addict," he said. "Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors."

Then again at another press briefing on the same day, Ford issued a "sincere" apology, but said he would not be resigning or stepping aside.

"For the sake of the taxpayers...we must get back to work immediately...I was elected to do a job and that's exactly what I' m going to continue doing," he said.

Besides staying on as mayor for the remainder of the term and working hard to regain the trust of Toronto residents, Ford also said he'll be running again in next year's municipal election.

Despite the growing dissatisfaction from councillors and the rest of the city, municipal law makes it clear that the mayor cannot be removed from office unless he's convicted and jailed for a criminal offense.

While Ford vowed Tuesday to remain in office and "ride the storm out," the big question now is if that will be possible with the dwindling staffers and allies on his side.

After Ford's confession, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne weighed in on the situation, according to local media.

"I'm concerned about the situation, as I believe all Torontonians are," Wynne was quoted as saying. "We're watching this with concern."