The original three-member Ontario Censor Board, appointed by the Province in 1911, was given extensive powers of censorship.  Scenes of an immoral nature, seduction, infidelity, or the depiction of a crime or a prize fight were just cause to withhold permission for screening a film.  There was also a ban on American flag-waving!

In 1919, women's groups agitated for more freedom and rights for women. In particular, the Censor Board was criticized for its reluctance to appoint women on a permanent basis.  As a result of this pressure, a woman was appointed at year end.

By 1921, the first set of written standards was produced in booklet form.  It included many of the earlier Board's exclusions, but added cruelty to animals, arson, firearms, violence, crime, insanity, murder and suicide.  The American flag-waving ban was extended to all foreign flags.

In the 1930s, building inspections were initiated and rigidly enforced.  It became mandatory for theatre owners to use only fire-resistant building materials, and they were held accountable for building upkeep.  Saturday and holiday matinees were introduced, which unsupervised children were allowed to attend, although a matron had to be present in the theatre.  The practice of actually classifying films also began in this decade.  Each film stood or fell on its own merit, and approved movies fell into one of two classifications - "Suitable For All" or "Suitable For Adult Audiences".  This Board of Censors was the first in North America to introduce a classification system.

The biggest concern of the Board in the 1940s was "propaganda films".  Any footage of riots or strikes was immediately excised from newsreels, and no film involving Communist propaganda was ever approved.  Other subjects disturbing to the Board included horror, kissing, dancing, and religious propaganda.  With the outbreak of World War II, rules became even more restrictive, and no foreign language films (except those from France) were screened.

In the post-war years, the government sanctioned outdoor movies, and in August of 1946, the province's first drive-in movie opened in Stoney Creek.  The number of rejected films dropped dramatically, and the Board acquired the reputation as one of the most liberal and enlightened in Canada.

Reforms in the 1980s introduced the current system of appointing private citizens to a rotating Board, as well as a four-level classification system:  Family (F), Parental Guidance (PG), Adult Accompaniment (AA), and Restricted (R).  The name was changed to the Ontario Film Review Board; the regulation of videotapes was introduced; and adult sex videos were sanctioned.  The mandate of the Board was directed less at censorship and more towards classification.

The 1990’s saw more changes.  Both the Chair and the Board members are appointed for specific terms of office.  The Canadian Home Video Rating System was initiated, as was the mandatory placement of stickers on all adult sex videos.

In 2003, Ontario introduced a five-level classification system.  G - General, PG - Parental Guidance, 14A - Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, 18A - Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, R - Restricted to anyone 18 and over.

Throughout its history, the Board's policies have been shaped and influenced by external social forces.  It continues to adapt and mirror the tastes and standards of the various societies it serves.

On August 31, 2005, the Film Classification Act, 2005 replaced the Theatres Act, as the legislation that governs the activities of the Board.  Under the Film Classification Act, 2005, while the requirement for classification continues, the Board’s authority to refuse to approve films was narrowed to include only adult sex films which contain specified scenes (e.g. explicit sexual activity with violence, etc.)