Nothing of what you see says negotiation, but for

Nothing of what you see says negotiation, but for you to call someone a liar because they say that they believe negotiations are taking place makes you as ignorant as you say they are. HC could benefit out of negotiations by not going to court, not getting all of their dirty laundry exposed (which would likely result in some people losing their jobs), not embarrassing Canada. Those are just off the top of my head in about a minute. Just cause you can't think of a way they could benefit doesn't mean they cant. Many people couldn't fathom the world being round, but guess what...

And right after the letter of intent to decline was sent out is the time period where negotiation would be pointless for HC. After the CEN response and the court filings are the only time for HC to consider negotiating.