Hi, Unfortunately we don't have a national register of Birth Marriage Death in Canada.
British Subjects did not have to make application for Citizenship in Canada -we were all one - part of the British Empire.

I searched National Archive of Canada - Soldiers of WW1 for Richard Nightingale BANKS - with 0 results. He served int he British Military? [ many came to Canada to enlist int he Expeditionary Forces WW1]

Searched National Archive of Canada Western Land Grant
found the following - but there is not information to determine if this is your Richard BANKS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Land_Survey
1. Part NW Section 2 Township 5 Range 1 Meridian W2.
Reference: Volume: 290 Folio: 302
Microfilm reel number: C-6163
Names: Richard Banks
Homestead records can be obtained from the Provincial Archive.