OTTAWA - The NDP says leader Jack Layton is recovering well from hip surgery and will be out of hospital soon.
Spokeswoman Kathleen Monk says Layton is walking with crutches and feeling much better than last week.
She said doctors at Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto are pleased with his progress and plan to release him within days.
NDP deputy leader Thomas Mulcair says Layton is expected to be back on Parliament Hill and in fighting form in time for the March 22 federal budget.
Layton, who also has prostate cancer, had been hobbling for weeks because of a micro-fracture in his hip.
He went in for surgery Friday after the injury turned into a full-fledged fracture.
He hasn't let his health problems slow him down much. Over the weekend, he met with his chief of staff and family members, including grand-daughter Beatrice.
