Ottawa concerned by rising Canadian personal debt

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - The government is concerned about Canadians' personal debt levels, warning they could get hurt when interest rates eventually increase, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Monday.

It is up to individuals to decide how much personal debt they can carry, but the government has already introduced changes in mortgage rules to discourage a sharp rise in household debt, Harper told a news conference in Quebec.

"This is a matter that is of concern to the government. We continue to warn Canadian households that interest rates are unlikely to go down in the future," he said when asked about the issue by a reporter.

"Obviously, we encourage Canadians to manage their affairs soundly," Harper said.