The confirmed launch
Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff Katie Telford have launched a media and entertainment production company called Hope and Hard Work, Reuters reported.
The name repeats a phrase Trudeau used in speeches after becoming leader of Canada's Liberal Party in 2013 and during his tenure as prime minister from 2015 to 2025. The company said its goal is to bring people together through stories across film, television, audio and live experiences.
Founders and timing
Trudeau and Telford founded the company together. The announcement coincided with the Toronto International Film Festival, which began on 10 September and was scheduled to continue through 20 September.
The launch places Trudeau among former political leaders who have entered media production after leaving office. Reuters noted that former U.S. president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama created Higher Ground Productions in 2018. That comparison provides industry context but does not establish that Hope and Hard Work will follow the same commercial model.
Political background and the company name
Trudeau served as Canada's prime minister from 2015 to 2025. He announced his decision to step down in January 2025 after pressure from lawmakers concerned about the Liberal Party's polling position and was succeeded by Mark Carney. Since leaving office, Reuters reported that Trudeau had largely maintained a lower public profile while making selected appearances, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Hope and Hard Work echoes a phrase Trudeau regularly used after becoming Liberal leader in 2013 and during his years in government. The choice connects the new venture to an established part of his public language, although the company has not said that its productions will focus on politics or Trudeau's time in office.
What has not been announced
The launch statement identified broad formats but did not disclose a project slate, release timetable, distribution agreement or commissioning partner. Verdvit therefore does not speculate about programs, streaming platforms, financing or future collaborators.
The company announcement is best understood as an early business-development step. Future coverage should be updated only when projects, partners or releases are formally confirmed.
Related coverage
Explore more reporting in Verdvit's Entertainment section, where source names and publication times are displayed without outbound reader redirects.
