The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT). % a7 x# u$ j& I- o% D! X8 B . y8 ]8 u( b! r: G yA 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 L' g3 @2 e) Z2 V+ T