The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Sept. 3, edition that Corus Entertainment, struggling with debt, has paused production at its animation studio Nelvana, which has been influential in making Canada a leading exporter of cartoons for over five decades. The Globe's Josh O'Kane and Irene Galea write that while not shutting Nelvana down completely, Corus plans to wind down existing projects and halt new productions for now. The Nelvana brand will continue to exist, focusing on distribution, merchandising, and managing existing properties, according to Melissa Eckersley, Corus's head of corporate communications. Corus did not disclose how many jobs were affected as production wound down recently and stated it will continue reviewing opportunities and priorities in its business operations. Nelvana, a major player in Canadian animation since its founding in 1971 by Clive Smith, Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert, gained fame in the 1980s with The Care Bears Movie. The company helped establish a business model focused on developing cartoons from successful intellectual properties. Corus struck a deal to buy Nelvana in 2000, putting up $540-million to make the studio a key part of its plan for global expansion.