The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT). + V" w4 d2 r+ W( t g& ]& R& h2 l3 _/ L/ X
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. 3 m0 L9 J, B0 Q$ W