Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, have entered the entertainment industry with the establishment of a 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 term as prime minister, which concluded in 2025.
Hope & Hard Work will focus on creating various content such as scripted and unscripted productions, documentaries, docuseries, television series, and feature films. The company has several projects already in progress, including the development of “Closer by the Sea,” a television 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 have emphasized that their lineup is diverse and thoughtfully curated to provide engaging storytelling that resonates with audiences in Canada and internationally. They expressed their belief in the transformative power of storytelling to bring people together and promote empathy and understanding.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, now 54, has been engaging in public speaking engagements worldwide. He notably appeared at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, whom he began dating post-resignation.
Trudeau’s move into the entertainment field mirrors that of former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched Higher Ground production company in 2018. Similarly, in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, founded Archewell Productions after stepping back from their royal duties.