OTTAWA — Prime Minister Paul Martin might let MPs review Senate appointments but he doesn't think voters will be electing representatives to the upper chamber any time soon.

Martin said Friday that he agrees philosophically with Senate reform but suggested there can't be senatorial elections without drastic constitutional changes.

"I don't really think that piecemeal reform works," he said when asked about letting provinces hold elections to choose Senators.

"I really think that piecemeal reform will just cause greater problems.

"And I think that, fundamentally, if you're going to have Senate reform, you should have Senate reform. And I believe very much ultimately in Senate reform."

Martin said changes to the Senate will first have to address the "inequities built into the distribution of seats" that disadvantages the West _ and that would require changing the Constitution.

Alberta held two elections to choose senators during Jean Chretien's term in office but he refused to appoint them, retaining the traditional system of the prime minister picking whom he chooses.

Martin said Thursday that he is open to a new process where MPs would scrutinize all Senate appointments.