Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, are transitioning into the entertainment industry by launching 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 term 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. Several projects are already in progress, with one of them being “Closer by the Sea,” a TV adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular coming-of-age 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 meticulously chosen to provide audience-driven storytelling that resonates both domestically and internationally. They expressed in a statement that they believe in the unifying power of compelling narratives during times of division.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, 54, has been actively engaging in public appearances, including speaking at global events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he was accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, whom he began dating post-resignation.
Trudeau’s foray into the entertainment sector mirrors the actions of other notable figures, such as former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who established Higher Ground production company 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.