Canwest’s cuts to the development side of Alliance Atlantis continued Wednesday, with word that Rachel Fulford has left Showcase.

Fulford, who was director of original production at the specialty channel for nine years, was laid off earlier this week by AA’s new owners in Winnipeg. Fulford was a key figure behind Showcase series including Trailer Park Boys, Paradise Falls, Kenny vs. Spenny and Rent-A-Goalie.

It is not known who will take over her decision-making duties at Showcase, though her boss Tara Ellis, the channel’s VP of content, will remain at Canwest. Showcase is known for turning out edgy and daring domestic shows, and its future, following the $2.3-billion purchase of its parent AA by Canwest and Goldman Sachs, is of concern to many producers.

Canwest indicated earlier this week that cuts are in the works at AA, though there has been no official word since. AA’s SVP of content John Gill left on Monday and Canwest shuffled its executives on Tuesday.

Fulford had upbeat words for producers, however. ‘It is a time of uncertainty, and I think it’s really important for Canadian content creators to help these newly merged companies succeed, because their success is vital to the success of our industry,’ she tells Playback Daily. ‘People should continue to bring their best ideas forward and continue to get great Canadian shows out there.’

She also noted that Canwest’s $151.2-million benefits package accompanying the acquisition should spark production over the next seven years, just as the BCE benefits package resulted in hit shows such as Corner Gas.

Fulford says she is in talks about future job possibilities — all of which involve production for television. ‘It’s my real passion [TV shows] and I hope to continue in this kind of work. I’m particularly interested in development and working with writers,’ she says.