[1] It is overseen by the Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity, a member of the Executive Council of Ontario (provincial cabinet).
In December 1970, the Bureau was given responsibility for administering the Women's Equal Employment Opportunities Act.
However, in June 1972, this Act was repealed, and its provisions were incorporated into the Ontario Human Rights Code.
In 1978, the Women's Program Division was disbanded, and the Bureau reported directly to the Deputy Minister of Labour.
In January 2017, the Directorate was elevated by Ontario's first female Premier Kathleen Wynne to a new stand-alone ministry called the Ministry of the Status of Women, with a dedicated full minister titled Minister of the Status of Women.