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 is inspired by a slogan used by Trudeau and the Liberal Party during his nine-year term as prime minister, which ended in 2025.
Hope & Hard Work will focus on creating scripted and unscripted content, including documentaries, docuseries, television series, and feature films. The company has several projects already in progress. One of the upcoming projects is “Closer by the Sea,” a TV adaptation of Perry Chafe’s bestselling novel set in Newfoundland. Additionally, they are adapting Toronto author Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel, “Detective Aunty,” for television, with Trudeau and Telford as executive producers.
Trudeau and Telford have emphasized that their lineup is diverse and carefully selected to offer audience-driven storytelling that resonates both nationally and internationally. They believe in the power of storytelling to bring people together and promote empathy and understanding.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau has been actively engaging in public appearances, including delivering speeches at various events worldwide. He has also been seen with his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, whom he began dating post-resignation. Trudeau’s move into the entertainment sector mirrors similar initiatives by former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched Higher Ground production company in 2018. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, also entered the production realm in 2020 with the establishment of Archewell Productions after stepping back from their royal duties.
