Toronto council poised to strip mayor of powers

TORONTO (AP) — Beset by scandal, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford faces another likely setback today as city council takes up a motion to snatch away most of his remaining powers.

Ford called the effort a "coup d'etat" and challenged the council to call snap elections.

Under the motion, already endorsed by a majority of council members, Ford would in effect become mayor of Canada's largest city in name only. He would be stripped of his office budget and staff.

The council does not have the power to remove Ford from office, barring a criminal conviction. It is pursuing the strongest recourse available after recent revelations that Ford smoked crack cocaine and his repeated outbursts of erratic behavior.

Far from being chastened, Ford has vowed to take the council to court and insists he will seek re-election next year.

"It's a coup d'etat — that's all this is," Ford said as he arrived at City Hall on Monday morning.

He earlier claimed on a radio station that councilors were against his agenda to save taxpayers' money.

"If they want me out, they should just call a snap election," Ford told radio station AM640.

Councilor Denzil Minnan-Wong, a former Ford ally, said it's about his conduct.

"This is about embarrassing the city, his involvement with gangs, his involvement with crack cocaine. This is about his admission that he gets behind the wheel while drinking," Minnan-Wong said.