You mentioned the issue of cost. It could be a significant factor for somebody trying to get back on their feet. Even the cost of trying to apply for a pardon could be difficult, so it might take somebody a long time.
Can you talk to the fact that if somebody had even three summary offences, if enough time goes by and the records of the case are tossed out, the process then treats it as an indictable offence? Therefore, if enough time passes--maybe because they didn't have the money to be able to apply--people who have, say, three summary offences could now suddenly find themselves not ever being able to apply for a pardon in their lives, even though they had summary offences.