Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, have ventured into the entertainment industry by launching a new media and entertainment production company named Hope & Hard Work. The company’s name draws inspiration 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 commenced work on several projects. One of the upcoming projects is “Closer by the Sea,” a television adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular coming-of-age novel set in Newfoundland. Additionally, Toronto author Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel, “Detective Aunty,” is also in the pipeline for a television adaptation, with Trudeau and Telford serving as executive producers.
Trudeau and Telford emphasize that their production lineup is diverse and meticulously curated with the aim of creating a platform for audience-driven storytelling that resonates both locally in Canada and internationally. They expressed their belief in the power of storytelling to bridge divides and foster empathy and understanding among audiences.
Following his departure from politics and announcement of resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, aged 54, has been engaging in public appearances and speeches, including at global events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Notably, he has been accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, with whom he initiated a relationship post his resignation.
Trudeau’s foray into the entertainment realm mirrors the initiatives of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who established the production company Higher Ground in 2018. Similarly, in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, launched Archewell Productions after stepping back from their royal duties.