Prior to 1972, the Department of Public Works was responsible for the function of providing and maintaining the buildings and facilities that house the operations of the provincial government.
In 1968, it acquired further responsibility over the regulation of credit unions, cemeteries, upholstered and stuffed articles, and the sale of goods and services.
In 1972, the Ministry of Government Services was created, assuming most of the functions of the former Department of Public Works.
When the ministry was created, Premier Dalton McGuinty described it as the "chief operating officer of government."
Any and all routine transactions between the government and the public are performed through ServiceOntario offices, websites, call centres or kiosks.