Fischer-Dieskau, the son of famed baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, was fired in November 2003, in large part because of disagreement with the board over a planned tour to Germany, which was seen by board members as fiscally irresponsible. Two months later, however, the board resigned in the face of growing protests from the conductors supporters. A new board was elected and attempted to rehire Fischer-Dieskau, but failed to do so, reportedly because the conductor sought complete artistic control over the orchestra.

In the months since, the CBC reports, the new board has split into two factions that have tussled over the dismissal and other issues.