For more than 500 years, English Common Law has given governments a special responsibility to protect the interests of mentally incapable adults, children and charities. This tradition has continued in Canada.

In 1919, the Attorney General of the day appointed Kenneth Waked Wright as Ontario's first Public Trustee. Mr. Wright was given responsibility for administering the estates of patients of psychiatric facilities, managing the estates of those who died without a will in Ontario and without known next of kin, and ensuring that charitable property was protected.

Throughout this century, the Public Trustee's responsibilities have evolved. Until the 1960s, most clients were patients of psychiatric facilities. In the last few decades, factors such as, de-institutionalization and an aging population have changed the nature and complexity of the types of decisions made by the Public Trustee.

On April 3, 1995, the laws on incapacity were updated to fill gaps and inconsistencies in the old legislation. Now known as the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, the Office plays a more vital role than ever in representing and protecting the personal and property interests of incapable people.

The Public Guardian and Trustee is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and must be a lawyer who has been a member of the Ontario bar for at least ten years. The current Public Guardian Trustee is Louise A. Stratford. Ms. Stratford oversees the delivery of operations by the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee through its three-hundred staff in six local offices located throughout the province.

• 2005–2006 Annual Report
• Common Fund Performance as at December 31, 2007