Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, have transitioned into the entertainment industry by establishing a new media and entertainment production company named Hope & Hard Work. The company’s name is inspired by a slogan used during Trudeau’s 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 initiated several projects, including the development of “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 content lineup is diverse and carefully selected to create a platform for audience-driven storytelling that resonates both domestically and internationally. They believe in the power of storytelling to promote empathy and understanding, especially during times of division.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, aged 54, has been engaging in public speaking engagements worldwide, including at prestigious events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry. This move into the entertainment industry mirrors similar endeavors by former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched Higher Ground production company in 2018. In a similar vein, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, established Archewell Productions in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties.