Justin Trudeau is launching a production company called Hope & Hard Work at the Toronto International Film Festival with Katie Telford, his former chief of staff. The company will produce both scripted and unscripted content, including projects like Perry Chafe’s novel "Closer by Sea" and Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery series "Detective Aunty." This move follows similar ventures by former political figures such as Barack Obama and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is entering the entertainment industry by launching a production company called Hope & Hard Work at the Toronto International Film Festival. The company will be run alongside his former chief of staff, Katie Telford, with plans to produce both scripted and unscripted content. Two initial projects include the Newfoundland-set novel Closer by Sea and the cozy mystery Detective Aunty, for which Trudeau and Telford will serve as executive producers. This move aligns with Trudeau's advocacy of "soft power," a concept he discussed at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, highlighting the importance of popular culture. Trudeau’s venture follows similar initiatives by former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama through their production company Higher Ground Productions, which has produced multiple successful projects.
Written for “Trudeau Business Venture TIFF” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 8496 · logged 2026-09-13
Justin Trudeau is officially getting into showbiz.
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Trudeau → get → showbiz
The former prime minister is launching a production company with his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, called Hope & Hard Work.
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minister → launch → staff
They’re announcing the new venture at the Toronto International Film Festival today.
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They → announce → Festival
A press release from the company says Hope & Hard Work will create both scripted and unscripted content, and several projects are already in development.
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projects → say → development
They include Perry Chafe’s Newfoundland-set coming-of-age novel Closer by Sea, and Uzma Jalaluddin’s cozy mystery Detective Aunty, with Trudeau and Telford set to serve as executive producers.
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Trudeau → include → producers
Trudeau stepped back from politics after announcing his resignation in January, 2025 and has been on the speaking circuit, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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Trudeau → step → Davos
There, he spoke about the importance of “soft power,” an umbrella that includes popular culture.
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that → speak → culture
He was joined at Davos by his girlfriend, the American pop star Katy Perry.
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He → join → girlfriend
With the production company, Trudeau follows in the footsteps of former U.S. president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, who in 2018 founded Higher Ground Productions.
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who → follow → Productions
Their projects include the 2023 biopic Rustin and documentary American Symphony.
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projects → include → biopic
Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, also launched a production company after stepping back from their official roles with the Royal Family.
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Harry → launch → Family
Archewell Productions created the podcasts Archetypes and Confessions of a Female Founder, and the unscripted series Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan.
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Productions → create → Love
