Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his long-time chief of staff, Katie Telford, have ventured into the entertainment industry with the establishment of a new media and entertainment production company named Hope & Hard Work. The company’s name is derived from a slogan used by Trudeau and the Liberal Party during his nine-year tenure as prime minister, which concluded in 2025.
Hope & Hard Work will focus on producing a variety of content, including scripted and unscripted projects such as documentaries, docuseries, television series, and feature films. The company has already initiated several projects, including the development of “Closer by the Sea,” a TV adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular coming-of-age novel set in Newfoundland. Additionally, they are adapting Toronto author Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel, “Detective Aunty,” for television, with Trudeau and Telford serving as executive producers.
Trudeau and Telford emphasize that their lineup of projects is diverse and meticulously curated to provide audience-driven storytelling that resonates both locally and internationally. They believe in the transformative power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding, bridging divides and encouraging people to see the world from different perspectives.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, aged 54, has been actively engaging in public speaking engagements worldwide, notably at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He has been accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, whom he began dating post-resignation.
Trudeau’s foray into the entertainment sector mirrors similar moves by other prominent figures, such as former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched Higher Ground production company in 2018. In a similar vein, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, established Archewell Productions in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties.