[1] The maintenance and management of public infrastructure has consistently been a key function of the government since well before Confederation.
The board was replaced in 1846 by the commissioners of public works who were responsible for "managing and controlling the construction, maintenance and repair of all canals, harbours, roads or parts of roads, bridges, slides, and other public works and buildings".
In 1874, legislation was passed establishing a standalone commissioner to be responsible for the Department of Public Works.
In 1900, both the Office of the Commissioner of Highways and the Bureau of Labour were established as part of the Department of Public Works.
In 2003, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal was created out of the winding-up of the Ontario Superbuild Corporation, inheriting its advisory and policy development and coordination responsibilities.