The Finance Department says Flaherty is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. (1215 GMT). 8 i& }1 t/ B+ E* {9 G ) d- ~: t6 u+ rA 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. 8 O4 b# E2 u1 n9 ]& N3 G' {4 m" o