If my spouse has exclusive possession, can I still visit or enter the matrimonial home in Ontario?

No. An exclusive possession order means the other spouse must vacate and not return without the permission of the occupying spouse or a court order. The word "exclusive" is meaningful — the occupying spouse has the right to occupy the home to the exclusion of the other. Entering the home without permission while an exclusive possession order is in effect can constitute contempt of court.

There may be practical arrangements made for the excluded spouse to retrieve their personal belongings. Courts often provide a defined window — typically under supervision or with police presence — for the departing spouse to collect necessary possessions. This should be arranged through lawyers or agreed to in writing rather than done unilaterally.

If you have an ownership interest in the home, that interest is preserved despite your exclusion from physical possession. Your financial rights are unaffected. But physically entering or remaining in the home contrary to an exclusive possession order exposes you to serious legal consequences. If you have legitimate reasons to access the property — to retrieve documents, take photographs for legal purposes, or check on maintenance — seek legal advice about how to arrange access through proper channels.