Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, have ventured into 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 utilized by Trudeau and the Liberal Party during his nine-year tenure as prime minister, which concluded in 2025.

Hope & Hard Work will focus on creating various content, including documentaries, docuseries, television series, and feature films, with several projects already in progress. One of the upcoming projects is the TV adaptation of Perry Chafe’s popular coming-of-age novel, “Closer by the Sea,” set in Newfoundland. Additionally, they are working on adapting Toronto author Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel, “Detective Aunty,” for television, with Trudeau and Telford taking on executive producer roles.

Trudeau and Telford emphasize that their production lineup is diverse and thoughtfully curated to provide compelling storytelling that connects with audiences both in Canada and internationally. They aim to foster empathy and understanding through their narratives, transcending boundaries and offering different perspectives to viewers.

Following his departure from politics and resignation in January 2025, Trudeau, aged 54, has been actively engaged in public speaking engagements worldwide, including appearances at events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Notably, he has been accompanied by his partner, pop star Katy Perry, with whom he began a relationship post-resignation.

Trudeau’s foray into the entertainment sector mirrors similar moves 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, in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, introduced their production company, Archewell Productions, after stepping back from their royal duties.