MARKHAM, Ont. - Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says regulations for credit card companies could come by the end of the month.

Flaherty says he expects families and individuals to struggle managing credit card debt this year and wants to address some practices the government considers unfair.

He has complained in the past that credit card rates remain high even as the Bank of Canada slashes its rates.

Flaherty didn't specify what the changes will be or whether he plans to regulate rates charged by credit card companies.

But he says a big part of the changes will address consumer protection and financial literacy.

A date isn't set to release the regulations, Flaherty says, but adds the changes will come in a matter of weeks - and probably before the end of the month.