The Bank of Canada ((BOC)) last week flagged the fragile nature of highly indebted Canadian households and said 42% of households would struggle to refinance their mortgage if home prices fall 20%. While mortgage and real estate brokers are calling for a re-softening of lending standards in the face of housing weakness, BOC head Stephen Poloz said he does not support such ideas. Since record debt is already plaguing Canadian households (and businesses), making it easier to add more, is not an idea that rational minds can endorse. See: 'I would frown upon it':