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Mayor Ford appeared relaxed after the motion was published, joking with his driver and feigning a football throw. He was a lonely voice of opposition in a handful of debates, railing against a study of bike lanes on Bloor Street and affordable housing units on the waterfront. Whenever he spoke in the council chamber, many councillors turned their backs on him in a show of defiance.

He refused to talk to reporters about the new push against his leadership. Deputy Mayor Kelly also declined to comment.

Two other special meetings had already been called for Friday to consider removing his ability to hire and fire committee chairs and the deputy mayor, and to take away his powers to deal with emergencies.

“We have an extraordinary situation here that nobody ever foresaw,” said Councillor John Filion, who drafted the motions. “I certainly move it with some unease and sadness, where we’ve come to that point where a vast majority of councillors would like somebody else to function as the mayor of the city because the mayor won’t step aside.”

The changes would be in effect for the remainder of his term of office, which ends in November 2014.

Mr. Filion said if approved, Mayor Ford would still hold some power, being able to cast a vote. Council cannot strip him of certain privileges, such as representing the city at events. But the deputy mayor would assume a greater “informal” role, said Mr. Filion, meeting with heads of city departments to discuss agendas, for example.