A coalition of opponents of the Mother Canada memorial say Parks Canada gave the group quarterbacking the project a $100,000 grant, even though the federal agency has said no public money is is being spent on the proposal.

In a statement, Friends of Green Cove highlight information found on the Parks Canada website, dated February 17, 2014. A spokesperson from the coalition says a lack of transparency puts Parks Canada's impartiality into question, now that Canadian tax dollars have been used to fund the project.

The grant, paid to the Never Forgotten National Memorial Foundation, was disclosed as part of Parks Canada's Disclosure of Grant and Contribution Awards over $25,000.

Friends of Green Cove say Parks Canada officials have reiterated the memorial will be funded entirely through private means and did not publicly acknowledge the $100,000 payment.

According to the Parks Canada page, the grant will help complete the memorial. In addition, it will "support the development of a digital communications platform and the market and visitation projection analysis."

CBC News has reached out to Parks Canada and is awaiting comment.