(CNN) Canadians already deluged by floodwaters in recent days braced for more rain over the weekend as federal and local authorities marshaled resources to help beleaguered residents.

Ottawa and Montreal are on alert as downpours are forecast. Eastern Ontario and western Quebec along the Ottawa River as well as other parts of those provinces have been particularly hit hard by rising waters caused by rain and rapid snow melt.

At a Friday morning news briefing, Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the military is ready to deploy when needed, with more than 1,700 troops to be used in Quebec and Ontario and New Brunswick, one of the country's maritime provinces.

It 'just rips your heart out'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was touring Ottawa on Friday, with Canadian media quoting him pointing to climate change as a reason why eastern Ontario is facing heavy flooding for the second time in three years.

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