I have a Canadian job offer but I am worried I will be refused a work permit

[JackSpratt]

I am a U.K citizen and I have been offered a job in Canada. As a small child I was brought to the U.S on a visa by my parents and they decided to subsequently overstay and try to get themselves established. I found this out when I was 18 yrs old and decided to leave the U.S and return to the U.K. This was nearly 12 yrs ago. IN 2001, when I tried to visit the U.S, I was denied entry and told I needed a visa to enter the U.S for 10 years (2011). I am wondering now that I have  a job offer in Canada, and I am going to apply for a work permit (I qualify under the federal skilled workers umbrella) if I chose to not declare that I was denied entry into the U.S, would the Canadian authorities find out and deny me my work permit? ALso, I am worried that if I did decide to declare this on my application, would I be automatically denied a work permit without getting the chance to tell my story? The job is due to start in January 2012, what kind of delays will disclosing this information on my application cause?

[scylla]

The only advice I can offer is don't lie about your past. Canada and the US shared records. If the application asks you a question and you don't answer truthfully - and you are found out - this is misrepresentation which results in a two year ban from entering Canada.

Good luck.

[JackSpratt]

I also have an arrest for trespassing in 1995 when I was 18 years old. I was ordered to pay a $75USD fine and now I am wondering if that will also exclude me from qualifying for a work permit?