The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT). 5 _4 q/ l w0 f: v! t 0 { D- J/ \6 e4 V! uA 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.. s; z! X3 u: p8 O @( j; @0 Z