You can switch to a Seasonal Hold plan and choose an in-market plan upon your return to Canada. https://www.koodomobile.com/en/help/keeping-your-account-open-when-travelling

Thanks for the suggestion. Given that they charge $15/month anyway to Hold my plan, I’d rather switch to a $15 starter plan which gives me at least txt msg while I am abroad - useful for account verifications etc.

I have booked a call back from Koodo to get this done. If they don’t agree, then I may have to switch to Virgin or Fido -- same $15 plan.  

They should agree unless something changed. Currently, afaik, changing to a starter plan just requires a Rep. I'd say go prepaid, as that's the better 15 dollar plan, but that's more work than switching to the starter.

I really think they should bring the seasonal hold back down to 10 since, as you said, you may as well go starter for the same price.