SASKATOON — Positive cases of syphilis have been steadily increasing in the city, in what many are describing as a growing public health concern and epidemic, felt across the province. Cases of the sexually transmitted infection have surged since 2017.
Non-profit Saskatoon Sexual Health executive director Candace Klein told SaskToday that clinics across the province are seeing concerning trends, including consistently high numbers of positive tests and, in some cases, continued increases.
SSH works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and regional health authorities to trace contacts and provide treatment. However, clinic-level data does not always capture the full scope of the issue across the province.
“We’ve been in an unfortunate position among provinces in Canada in the last two years. We don’t have data or numbers beyond what we get from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ministry of Health,” said Klein.
“We have our own numbers, but they do not necessarily reflect the realities of the province. We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of positive tests, unlike the slight increase in the province. Our clients tend to seek routine testing and treatment.”
Klein advised people who are sexually active to use prevention methods such as condoms, noting syphilis is easy to transmit and does not always require penetrative sex. That makes education and prevention especially important.
That is why SSH focuses on combining testing, treatment and education. If left untreated, syphilis can progress through stages and lead to serious health complications, particularly for pregnant people, where it can be passed on to infants.
“There is also some sort of stigma that comes along with the disease. People feel embarrassed about getting tested or telling their partners. We’re really trying to fight that stigma and let people know this is a public health issue, not a personal failure.”
She urged anyone experiencing symptoms to seek testing immediately through a health-care provider or sexual health clinic. Klein also pointed to online tools such as GetCheckedSask.ca, which allow individuals to assess their risk, learn about symptoms and find nearby testing and treatment services.
Saskatoon Community Clinic medical director Dr. Ryan Meili said syphilis cases rose dramatically during the time he stepped away from active family practice after being elected as Saskatoon Meewasin MLA and Saskatchewan NDP leader in 2017. (He later returned to full-time clinical work.)
“It was something that I’d seen a case or two in my career before. Now, it is something that we’re dealing with all the time. That is reflected in the national and provincial statistics. We, as experienced clinicians, see more cases, something unheard of before,” said Meili.
He added the clinic provides educational materials, including posters, to raise awareness about syphilis and its risks. However, he said regular testing, prompt treatment and follow-up care remain the most effective tools.
Health agencies’ response
Provincial and federal health agencies say they are responding to rising rates of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections through increased funding, policy changes and public awareness campaigns.
In a statement, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health said it is concerned about STBBIs in the province and has provided funding for testing, diagnosis and treatment.
The ministry said it continues to expand access to STBBI testing and raise awareness of its importance. An investment of $1.14 million in the 2025-2026 provincial budget is being used to further increase the province’s capacity to address STBBI rates.
The ministry added it ran an awareness campaign in February 2025 during Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week, promoting sexual health conversations and assessments as standard elements of care.
“Normalizing conversations reduces stigma and supports early diagnosis of STBBIs and leads to better treatment outcomes. In August, we released a new STBBI testing policy to support providers in offering and expanding testing for syphilis and other STBBIs,” the statement said.
The ministry also said it released an STBBI multi-year action plan aimed at reducing transmission and impacts on individuals, families and communities. While syphilis cases in Saskatchewan increased from 2014 to 2022, more recent trends show a decline.
According to Saskatchewan Health Ministry data, syphilis cases dropped to 1,470 in 2024 from a high of 2,217 in 2022, and the rate per 100,000 people fell from 180.6 to 116.2. By comparison, cases in 2014 and 2015 were 29 and 24, respectively, before rising steadily over the following seven years.
At the federal level, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada say syphilis is a key focus of the national STBBI Action Plan for 2024–2030, which prioritizes responses to emerging and re-emerging infections, strengthens public health capacity, invests in research and expands access to low-barrier testing, particularly for underserved populations.
