OTTAWA—NDP Leader Jack Layton will undergo hip surgery Friday, a development that could throw in doubt the timing of a spring federal election, the Star has learned.

The New Democrats are in a position to determine the timing of the election, depending on their support of the March 22 budget, and Layton’s health problems are now a factor in whether Canadians will go to the polls this spring.

Layton’s hairline hip fracture has developed into a full-fledged fracture that needs immediate treatment, said Kathleen Monk, director of communications for the NDP.

Layton is to be operated on Friday at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

Monk was insistent that Layton will have recovered by the time the Conservatives unveil their budget in a few weeks.

She said Layton will be on his feet by Friday night — just hours after the midday surgery — and plans to be back in the Commons in time for the budget.

“We are ready to fight a campaign,” Monk said Thursday.

The March 22 budget will set in motion a series of confidence votes that could trigger the fall of the minority government if any of the three opposition parties refuse to back the Conservatives. A federal election could be held as early as May 2.

Layton has been on crutches in recent weeks hoping to recover from the hairline fracture. But that hasn’t worked so surgery has become necessary, Monk said.

This is the second health scare for Layton, who has been battling prostate cancer.

The NDP had a caucus meeting Wednesday night to debate its position on the upcoming budget.

But Monk said the surgery will have no influence on the NDP’s decision whether to back the government.

Layton’s wife, Olivia Chow, who is MP for Trinity-Spadina, has expressed confidence in Layton’s health progress.

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She suggested to the Star Wednesday that the government appears unwilling to compromise on its budget plans.

With files from Tonda MacCharles