Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, have transitioned from politics to 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 scripted and unscripted projects like documentaries, docuseries, television series, and feature films. The company has several projects already in progress, including the development of “Closer by the Sea,” a TV adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular novel set in Newfoundland, and the adaptation of Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel, “Detective Aunty,” for television, where Trudeau and Telford will serve as executive producers.
Trudeau and Telford emphasize that their lineup is diverse and carefully selected to create a platform for audience-driven storytelling that resonates not only in Canada but also internationally. They believe in the transformative power of storytelling to unite people amid a seemingly divided world, fostering empathy and understanding across different perspectives.
Following his resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, aged 54, has remained active in the public sphere, delivering speeches globally, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He has been accompanied by his girlfriend, pop star Katy Perry, whom he began dating post-resignation.
Trudeau’s foray into the entertainment realm aligns with other prominent figures like former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched Higher Ground production company in 2018. Similarly, in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, initiated Archewell Productions after stepping back from their royal duties.