Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his long-time chief of staff, Katie Telford, have entered 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, which concluded in 2025.
Hope & Hard Work will focus on producing a variety of content, including documentaries, docuseries, television series, and feature films. The company has already commenced work on several projects. Notable among these is “Closer by the Sea,” a television adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular coming-of-age novel set in Newfoundland, known for creating “Republic of Doyle” and “Son of a Critch.” Additionally, Toronto author Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel, “Detective Aunty,” is being adapted for television, with Trudeau and Telford serving as executive producers.
Trudeau and Telford emphasize that their lineup is diverse and carefully selected to provide audience-driven storytelling that resonates both in Canada and internationally. They expressed in a statement that, “In building Hope & Hard Work, we are discovering stories that promote empathy and understanding, reaching audiences in profound ways and encouraging viewers to see the world from different perspectives, reminding us of our shared humanity.”
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, aged 54, has been actively engaging in public events and delivering speeches worldwide, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He has been accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, with whom he began a relationship post-resignation.
Trudeau’s move into the entertainment sector mirrors that of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who founded 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.
