[Help]Should I mention my overstay in US when I apply for a Canada tourist visa?

[lechalet]

For some personal reason,I had stayed in US for 8 months (overstayed 2 months) and went back to my own country in 2010.
Now I want to apply a Canada tourist visa. In the application form, it asks me if any country I've stayed for over 6 months.
I'm worried if Canadian know my overstay, they may think I want to stay there and refuse my application.
I need this visa badly to visit my boyfriend there.
If I don't mention the overstay, will Canadian officer know that from US? (I heard these two countries may share some database)

What should I do, please help!!

Many thanks!

[scylla]

The general rule is never lie on applications. It has a nasty way of catching up with you.

Yes - you must mention that you were in the US for longer than six months. Yes - Canada and the US share a fair amount of records and there's definitely a possibility that Canada will find out even if you don't mention it.

If you don't mention it and Canada finds out, that is misrepresentation which is a two year ban from entering Canada.

[lechalet]

The general rule is never lie on applications. It has a nasty way of catching up with you.

Yes - you must mention that you were in the US for longer than six months. Yes - Canada and the US share a fair amount of records and there's definitely a possibility that Canada will find out even if you don't mention it.

If you don't mention it and Canada finds out, that is misrepresentation which is a two year ban from entering Canada.

Scylla, Thank you for your kind advice. I think I will write an explaination of my over stay and hope the Canadian officer is understanding.