Teachers in Ontario’s English Catholic system have voted 97% in favour of a strike – the third of the four major teachers unions to do so.

Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association president Liz Stuart says the vote result sends a strong message to the Ford government.

The province says its focus is on reaching a deal to keep students in classrooms.

Public high school teachers are in a legal strike position as of Monday, though they won’t be off the job that day as they have not yet given the required five-day notice.

Elementary teachers also voted for job action and will be in a legal strike position as of November 25.