What happens if the seller doesn't show up to sign documents on closing day in Ontario?

A seller who fails to sign the necessary documents is generally in breach of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, since completing the sale on the agreed date is a core obligation. Your lawyer will typically first try to determine whether there is an innocent explanation, such as an illness or a document logistics problem, before treating it as an outright refusal to close.

If the seller genuinely will not or cannot complete, your remedies as buyer can include seeking specific performance, which asks a court to order the sale to proceed because real estate is treated as unique, or pursuing damages to compensate you for losses caused by the failure to close, such as increased costs of buying elsewhere. Your lawyer may also send formal notice to the seller's lawyer confirming you are ready, willing, and able to close, which helps preserve your legal position. Because these situations move quickly and the right response depends on the specific facts and documentation available, this is exactly the kind of moment where getting your lawyer involved immediately, rather than waiting, matters most.