The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) voted in favor of allowing a strike, if necessary, according to a statement from the group on Thursday.

It added that the provincial vote was conducted on October 18 and 19. Ninety-seven percent voted in favor of the mandate.

President René Janssen en De Wal stated that the vote sends a “clear message” to Premier Doug Ford’s government that “Catholic teachers want to see progress and meaningful outcomes at the bargaining table.”

According to Janssen en De Wal, the province has not addressed the shortage of resources, support, and time that Ontario teachers need to provide the best service to students.

He said, “As we move forward with the upcoming bargaining dates, the Ford government and representatives of the Catholic trustees must understand that the 45,000 Catholic teachers are united in solidarity, ready to do whatever is necessary to reach an agreement that supports all students,” he added in a statement from OECTA, “families and teachers—a solution that addresses the pressing issues facing classrooms across the province.”

Following the news of the vote, Ontario’s Education Minister Stephen Lecce issued a statement saying that his government stands with parents “who insist on keeping their children in class without interruption,” calling the move toward a strike “disappointing.”

He continued, “We have already reached a fair agreement with one of the largest teachers’ unions to keep kids in class, and we urge OECTA to do the same by sitting at the table, signing an agreement, and committing to keeping kids in class.”

On Wednesday, English public elementary school teachers in Ontario also moved closer to a strike, with 95 percent of the union voting in favor of it.