The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT)., Q- N6 B4 m% t. k" u% s0 x9 a
( p: K& v: H8 H, @* l& S& T+ \A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the government will reduce the maximum amortization period of a mortgage to 25 years from 30 years, and lower the level of home equity that can be borrowed against to 80 percent from 85 percent.0 \" y- P1 l1 d9 _/ `1 \& e2 b