Understanding ethnic differences in the pathways to suicidality (i.e. suicidal ideation and non-fatal attempt) is important for suicide prevention efforts in Canada. If specific ethnic groups tend to live in certain areas more so than others (i.e. rural vs. urban), it is important to investigate the intersection between ethnicity and rurality and their joint relationship with suicidality. These pathways can be conceptualized within the stress process framework. The study examined ethnic differences in the pathways to suicidality in Canadian adults and whether living rurally impacted on the pathways to suicidality for high-risk ethnic groups. Using multivariate logistic regression and path analyses, we examined the hypotheses that variations in (1) socioeconomic status, (2) social support, (3) both, and (4) the interrelatedness between sociodemographic and clinical factors could explain the relationship between ethnicity and suicidality and the impact of rurality for high-risk groups. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1 was used. Both analytic methods indicated that Francophone whites and Aboriginals had higher rates of suicidality compared to Anglophone whites. Visible minorities were less likely to suffer suicidality compared to Anglophone whites (both models) but the differences were explained by variations in the mediators (path models). Despite evidence of mediation, the high rates of suicidality found in Francophone whites and Aboriginals compared to Anglophone whites were not explained. The interrelatedness between the mediators and their effects on suicidality differed for Francophone whites and Aboriginals. Furthermore, some relationships differed if these groups were urban versus rural-dwellers. Although urban and rural-dwelling Aboriginals were most disadvantaged, which exacerbated their risk for suicidality, rural-dwelling Aboriginals had stronger sense of community belonging compared to their Anglophone whites counterparts and urban-dwelling Aboriginals. Furthermore, sense of community belonging had a significant direct effect on suicidality in rural but not urban settings. Disadvantages in education, income and sense of community belonging were observed in both urban- and rural-dwelling Francophone whites with levels being slightly lower in rural settings. The pathways to suicidality differed for Francophone whites and Aboriginals and were affected by whether the group lived in urban versus rural areas. Implications for public health interventions are discussed.