Confidentiality is an important concern for many of our clients, especially when it comes to Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). Whether you’re dealing with a property sale, navigating Ministry requirements, or simply wish to keep your business decisions private, we understand the importance of keeping your information secure. As Professional Engineers, all communication we have with our existing and prospective clients is privileged and confidential, including documents we produce, as well as those sent to us for review. We will never share your Environmental Site Assessments, or other reports you send us, without your approval, safeguarding your business decisions and property transactions. For clarity, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about how we handle the privacy of your ESA reports to give you peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Confidentiality of Environmental Site Assessments

Will you share my Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) with anyone?

Answer: No, we do not share your ESA report with anyone unless you have explicitly given us permission to do so. As a rule, your report is only seen by you unless you choose to share it with someone. We take your confidentiality very seriously and ensure that your information is kept secure.

If we complete the report, will my province’s Ministry be able to see my Environmental Site Assessment?

Answer: No. Governing bodies such as Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) will not see your report unless you instruct us to submit it to them. This might occur in cases where you need to file a Record of Site Condition, conduct a Risk Assessment, or respond to a Ministry order on your property. Without your direction, the Ministry will not have access to your ESA.

What if someone requests a copy of my ESA report?

Answer: Even if someone approaches us who may have introduced us to you, such as your mortgage broker or realtor, we will still ask for your permission before sharing the report. We respect your ownership of the report and will only share it with others if you authorize us to do so.

Where do I find the ESA for the property I want to purchase?

Answer: There is no public database of Environmental Site Assessments accessible to the public. If you’re looking for a report on a property you wish to purchase, you will need to obtain it directly from the property owner. Some properties may be listed in the Environmental Site Registry if they have a filed Record of Site Condition, but these listings are not full reports, though they can provide valuable insights.

Will you tell my staff what you are doing?

Answer: Our team is trained to maintain the confidentiality of your project, even on operational sites where we may encounter other employees or passersby. We understand that there are situations where you may not want to share details of your project or property sale with your staff. In these cases, we can schedule our work to interact with only preapproved site contacts, to ensure your plans remain private.

In Summary

At AEL, we value your privacy and are committed to keeping your information confidential. We hope this article has addressed the most common concerns about the confidentiality of our ESA reports. If you have any further questions or need additional clarification, please don’t hesitate to connect with us. Your peace of mind is our priority.