Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, have ventured into the entertainment industry by establishing 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 until 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. Several projects are already in progress, including the development of “Closer by the Sea,” a TV adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular 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 is diverse and carefully selected to create a platform for audience-driven storytelling that resonates not only in Canada but also internationally. They believe in the transformative power of storytelling to bridge divides and foster empathy, striving to present narratives that challenge perspectives and promote shared understanding.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, aged 54, has been actively engaging in public appearances and speeches worldwide, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Notably, he has been accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, whom he started dating post-resignation.
Trudeau’s foray into the entertainment sector mirrors the initiatives of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched Higher Ground production company in 2018. Similarly, in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, established Archewell Productions after stepping back from their royal duties.