Stewardship Through Change: A Reflection from Modo's CEO

Dear Member,

I wanted to take a moment to write to you directly — not with a glossy year-end recap, but with an honest reflection on the year behind us: the good, the hard, and what it all means for your co-op.

There’s no denying the environment around us. Economic uncertainty continues to ripple through everyday life, fuelled in part by ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Rising costs, paused public programs, and shifting government priorities have made planning harder for households, organizations and co-ops alike.

In moments like these, community and shared resources matter more. History shows that carsharing becomes more relevant as people rethink ownership and look for collective solutions. I first entered this industry in 2010, just after the 2008 financial crisis, when many people turned to shared, flexible alternatives to car ownership. That instinct is repeating.

You, as one of our Plus members are at the heart of this co-op. 64 ModoSapiens — the name Modo staff has given themselves — steward the co-op day to day. Our mission shows up in our daily work: to help you get where you need to go, no matter the trip, without the burden of ownership.

Over the past year, that stewardship has included:

·       Welcoming more new members than we have in many years, growing Modo into a 35,000-member community and strengthening the co-op’s resilience.

·       Delivering on our 1-in-5 electric vehicle target, with roughly 41% of members trying an EV, even as major government incentives were removed or paused.

·       Expanding Modo’s presence in neighbourhoods, adding vehicles to new residential developments so shared mobility is available where people live.

·       Keeping the fleet reliable and safe, through daily maintenance, cleaning, seasonal readiness, and behind-the-scenes operational care.

·       Beginning to modernize how we support members, so information is clearer, tools are easier to use, and experiences feel more consistent wherever you interact with Modo.

As Modo Plus members, you should be proud that even in a year of rising costs, we’ve continued to be a certified Living Wage employer, because how we treat the people who run your co-op is part of how we live our values.

That stewardship is guided by our social purpose: together we build inclusive and sustainable futures through shared vehicles that strengthen our communities. And sharing vehicles works best when the surrounding policies allow it to. Many of the policies that once quietly supported carsharing can no longer be taken for granted. In 2025, advocacy has become a bigger part of my role as CEO as governments rethink spending, transportation priorities, and climate policy. Over the past year that advocacy has included:

·       Having Modo featured on ISED’s website, ensuring co-operatives and shared mobility are visible at the federal level.

·       Meeting MLAs and Premier David Eby during the Co-op at the Legislature tour to advocate for shared mobility and co-op policy.

·       Speaking at Vancouver City Council to highlight how changes to carshare parking costs and the TDM pause affect affordability and access for members.

·       Collaborating with municipal staff, other co-operatives, and industry associations to strengthen shared advocacy for carshare, affordability, and community access.

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All of this work — by staff, through advocacy, and across communities — only holds together because members participate. That’s how a co-operative works in practice and it shows up in a few connected ways:

·       Co-operative Principle #2: Democratic Member Control: You have a real voice in Modo’s future — by joining the AGM, voting, or putting your name forward, with nominations for the 2026 Board of Directors now open.

·       Co-operative Principle #3: Member Economic Participation: When you actively use the service you co-own, you help keep vehicles available, support operational stability, and allow us to keep prices as flat as possible over time rather than relying on frequent rate increases.

·       Co-operative Principle #5: Education, Training, and Information: Staying engaged and informed — be it through the Driven By Community podcast, our member communications, or social media — builds shared understanding of your co-op.

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Living these co-operative principles means not just participating but listening and learning together. What would you like us to share more of with you as your co-op?

This is your co-op — and together, we’re keeping Modo a key in your pocket for getting around your community.

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Thank you for your trust and participation.

Sandra

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