A group of Saltspring Islanders gathered on Sunday to demand a review of legislation they say is making life miserable for small businesses on the Gulf Island.

At issue is the Islands Trust Act, legislation passed 35 years ago to preserve and protect the 11 islands off Vancouver Island's east coast for the benefit of residents and province.

But business owners on Saltspring say the act is out of date and chases away even the greenest of businesses.

Salt Spring Coffee Co. president Mickey McLeod decided to move his business to Vancouver after the Islands Trust rejected his application for expansion. (CBC)Mickey McLeod, founder of the Salt Spring Coffee Co., had hoped to expand his business, but the Islands Trust, which administers the act, made it impossible, he said Sunday.

"We were told all along everyone can apply for rezoning," McLeod said. "We found a piece of property, introduced the idea to the trust, showed them what it was. They didn't discourage us from proceeding. And it ended up, after we purchased the property and made the decision to go there, they had challenges with it."

In May, McLeod announced he was moving his business to Vancouver.

Ken Marr, a member of a group Islanders for Self-Government, wants the province to review and revise the act.

"In the 35 years of history of the trust there's been absolutely no vision on the economic sustainability of this island," Marr said.

"There are businesses leaving, businesses that employ young families, and there doesn't seem to be any concern at the trust level for businesses and for those families."

The demonstrators said they want Saltspring Island to become a municipality so they can govern themselves.