"Over 70 Whitby businesses are caught in the middle of a legal dispute between a landlord and the property manager. Whitby could lose 70 businesses in one stroke of the pen if they all move to other municipalities." Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy acknowledged the town's limited authority in the legal matter but voiced strong concern for the dozens of small businesses affected. "Because these small businesses are not at the table to negotiate they are unfortunately on the menu, and their dreams could be consumed by this dispute and eviction," Leahy said. "The mass eviction of 70 businesses will cause economic harm to the whole town.