Features
COVID-19: How it’s affected Israeli-owned local engineering company Iris Construction Management – Part 1 of a series
Ed. note: A while back I was put in touch with a university student by the name of Jon Van Deer Veen who told me that he would like to gain some experience working for The Jewish Post & News over the summer before returning to school.
Jon explained that he had spent last summer in Israel on a program known as MASA which, according to the MASA Israel Journey website, “is the leader in immersive international experiences in Israel for young adults (18-30).”
I asked Jon whether he’d consider writing about local businesspeople who belong to the Jewish Business Network (an organization I helped to start, along with Tamar Barr of the Rady JCC, five years ago). Jon said he’d be glad to take on the project and will be writing a continuing series for us over the coming months.
Here is the first of his submissions:
By JON VAN DEER VEEN
To get an insight into the economic impact of the Covid-19 shutdown, we have reached out to many businesses to get their stories. One of the first interviews on the subject was with Alex Rubanny, the Vice-President of Planning and Engineering at Iris Construction Management.
Iris Construction Management was founded by two Israelis, Dmitry Kruglik and Alex Rubanny, who emigrated to Canada to begin a new life. Both of them had been successful structural and mechanical engineers in Israel. They have over 30 years of combined experience in the industry, which means they bring a level of in-depth professional knowledge to their company, not always found among executives. Having “cut their teeth” in the extremely competitive environment of the Israeli construction industry, they dedicate themselves to cost savings and franchise optimization. Naturally, I was very excited when Alex agreed to an interview with me because his focus on economic efficiency is a valuable lesson for struggling businesses to hear during the current quarantine in which thousands of companies have been forcibly closed, many never to reopen.
Our conversation began by us discussing how Covid-19 has affected his business and his clients. Alex was very upfront with me and said companies that are his usual clients are struggling. According to Alex, besides the industries which have been entirely shut down, those businesses which remain partially open are experiencing severe cash flow problems and do not have the cash reserves to sustain themselves.
A JP Morgan study backs his claims, noting that less than one-half of all small businesses maintain a cash reserve equal to one month’s expenses. So, in an attempt to stay open many companies such as restaurants have shifted their business models, and now focus on delivery services. However, Alex doesn’t think that will be enough for many restaurants to survive.
He emphatically stated: “Every month they are losing income, every month the restaurants stay shut down will take one year of recovery, EVERY MONTH, so if they are shut down for three months that means they will probably need three years of recovery from Covid.” This was a shocking statement to hear, but it made sense once he explained it.
Restaurants and many other service sector businesses struggle to get by in the most normal of times and operate on extremely tight margins. Moreover, many companies have high overhead operating costs which don’t go away even if their customers do; electricity, heat, and rent are ever-present expenses, as well as the salaries and material costs that are necessary to continue operating.
I then pressed him further on operating expenses and asked how the global pandemic and quarantine surrounding Covid-19 has disrupted the supply chains across the planet that many people and businesses rely upon. His response again was not great news to hear for local store owners: “Oh yeah, definitely. Some of the equipment suppliers have shut down their businesses, and some have reduced volume, and we are facing serious delays with equipment these days, so we are searching for new suppliers.”
However, what he said next might give some hope for small business owners as he talked about overhead costs. “Different times bring opportunities for small businesses and small suppliers who have maybe fewer people; they could be more cost-effective because they have fewer employees and less volume so these days their prices are becoming more cost-effective for us.”
Alex continued to explain that before, he and Dmitry used to work with big suppliers to ensure equipment deliveries were on time, and that they had a large variety of products to choose from, but these days they are moving into smaller business models and letting small businesses provide them with services, regardless of the lower quality warranties and customer service. Essentially, businesses that don’t require thousands of overseas offices and large warehouses full of products, but instead supply you directly from the manufacturer, can survive because they lack the large expenses of other companies and, as a result, aren’t nearly as leveraged through the purchase of what are now useless assets waiting in storage.
Not knowing too much about the construction management industry, I asked Alex how his company can save money for his clients, and he laid it out plainly: “We are an outsourcing company, so we get paid by the project – not as if we had a construction manager for our company where we would pay his salary if we had a project or not; you’re still paying a salary to an accountant, money for the researchers, and stuff like that.”
He continued: “In-house construction managers hire general contractors who would add a cost on top of every item they supply, like fryers, grills, exhaust hoses and every material.
“We are working differently; we are sourcing from specific contractors, not general contractors, and then we are able to save on the general contractor profit, and we are able to save on the profit they put on the equipment because we are the sole supplier for the entire operation. So, when you come to us, and you need architects, engineers, having to apply for permits, or supervisors, you get everything in one company – everything through one office and therefore you can save on cost because you don’t need so many people around.”
Alex explained how he has avoided accepting common inefficiencies in the industry in order to reduce costs for his clients. What particularly struck me was how much time wastage there is in so many construction projects and how a general contractor’s supply costs could be inflated by 20-30 percent to cover expenses that can be incurred while not actively working on a project, such as in winter.
To finish off our discussion, I asked Alex his thoughts on reopening, and he gave me a mixed response. Iris Construction Management looks forward to reopening because they see it as an opportunity to display their cost-saving techniques, but Alex realizes that for many businesses, it will take a long time to recoup the losses incurred from the Covid-19 quarantines and many more will never reopen.
Features
Football: Which team from Israel could we see in the European Cup next year?
With Europe’s club competitions heading into another summer of drama, Israeli football is on the table. The domestic season is done, trophies picked up and now a new batch of clubs can now try their luck against continental competition.
What are the prospects of these teams in Europe next year and who are they? It all starts with Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s title, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup win and the competition of the best Israel football teams against each other, as fans look to Champions League on Wincomparator to see what teams are in contention.
How Israel’s clubs qualify for Europe: The 2026-2027 spots
Qualification to join the European elite hinges on the 2025-26 Israeli Premier League table and the Israel State Cup. Israel will have one Champions League spot, one Europa League spot, and two Europa Conference League spots in 2026-27.
That means the league winner gets into the Champions League, the State Cup winner goes on to Europa League qualifying. The next eligible league’s finishers take the Conference League slots. It’s a good model as it provides a tangible reward for consistency at home, while at the same time demonstrating the importance of each playoff game. A top three finish can help a club’s summer, bring in better players and provide fans with a European tour before the next season’s start.
The Champion’s quest: Israel’s hope for the Champions League
Meet the 2025-26 Premier League winner: Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Hapoel Be’er Sheva have qualified for Israel’s Champions League after their Israeli Premier League title win with 79 points scored in 36 games. Ran Kozuch’s side closed the gap on the three-point lead but also showed significant strength in the attacking phase to secure a win in a crucial championship round with Beitar Jerusalem.
Their challenge also comes as their reward. Hapoel Be’er Sheva are only expected to begin in the second round of the Champions League, not the league round. To get to the main competition they need to pass through the first round of the other national champions in two-legged ties, and their seeding, fitness and sharpness in early-season competition could be a game breaker.
While the club has experience in Europe and a rabid Turner Stadium following, the path is tough. It takes one bad outing to wipe out a year’s worth of work. However, as long as the bedrock remains the same and they are able to put some depth into the team, the champions have the balance to fight.
Battling in the Conference League: Israel’s other European contenders
The State Cup winner and league runners-up
Maccabi Tel Aviv go to Europe after the Israel State Cup final 2-1 win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem. That win denied Be’er Sheva a home double, and also meant that Maccabi got into the Europa League qualifying, where they were put in the second qualifying round thanks to access-list rebalancing.
The Conference League qualifiers are Beitar Jerusalem who finished second in the league with 76 points, and Hapoel Tel Aviv who finished fourth with 60 points. The importance of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s cup victory lies in the fact that it unlocked the rest of the way in the league. Beitar’s season was particularly impressive as they scored 78 goals and lost just four matches. On the other hand, Hapoel Tel Aviv managed to remain above Maccabi Haifa in the final table standing, earning them a well-deserved European berth.
The Europa Conference League is no consolation prize for these clubs. It’s a realistic platform. Although there are still a few hurdles to navigate, Israeli sides consider this competition to be the most realistic one for European football in the autumn.
A look at past successes and future hopes
This group has reason for belief, based on recent history. Israeli teams can make significant nights in Europe, and Maccabi Haifa did just that, when they made it into the Champions League group stage in 2022-23, and then impressively took out Juventus 2-0 in Haifa.
There is significant monetary and sporting worth in qualification. A UEFA cup can make a difference to a club, as can better attendance, TV coverage and recruitment opportunities. The early storylines will be the draw for Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Champions League, as well as Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa league and the two Conference League routes — Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv. They all have tricky paths to follow, but all four provide Israeli football with a realistic European presence next summer.
Features
At one time one entire block of McAdam Ave. was almost totally Jewish
This story originally appeared in a November 2014 issue of The Jewish Post & News:
1994 McAdam Ave. reunion (names inside story)By GERRY POSNER (This story first appeared in November 2014.)
Once upon a time when life was simpler and gentler, there was a street in the north end of Winnipeg which was like all other streets in the city except in one significant way. Everyone, but for one family, living on McAdam east of Main Street was Jewish.
Features
Cheap Weed In Canada: A Smart Shopper’s Guide
Since legalisation, cannabis has settled into Canadian life as an ordinary, regulated purchase. And like groceries or gas, the price can vary a surprising amount from one shop to the next once you start comparing.
For a lot of buyers, that has turned the focus to value. Affordable options like cheap weed prove a lower price and a tested, quality product can go together. This guide explains how to shop smart in Canada without cutting corners.
Why Has Affordable Cannabis Become So Popular?
Because the novelty has worn off, and buyers now shop like they do for anything else. In the early days, people paid whatever the new legal stores asked. That has changed.
A few things drove that shift:
- A maturing market, with more retailers competing on price.
- Online sellers, whose lower overhead keeps costs down.
- Savvier buyers, who now compare rather than grab the first option.
- A wider range of formats and budget-friendly bulk sizes.
The result is a real focus on getting value for money. Crowdsourced figures put the early average near $6.85 a gram, and cannabis price data from Statistics Canada shows how legal and illegal prices have differed since 2018.
That gap is exactly why shopping around pays off. A careful buyer can pay noticeably less than a careless one for a comparable product. The sticker price is only where the comparison starts.
How Do Canadians Shop for Cheaper Weed?
With the same care they bring to any regular expense. A handful of habits make the biggest difference. These are the ones worth adopting:
- Compare the per-gram price. It is the only fair way to weigh two options.
- Buy larger formats. Bigger quantities almost always lower the unit cost.
- Skip premium markups. Plain flower beats pricey pre-rolls for value.
- Watch for sales. Online retailers run them often, especially on holidays.
- Match potency to the plan. A stronger product means you use less each time.
None of these involve settling for a worse product. They simply put your money to better use, the same way you would stretch your money on any other purchase. The cheapest sticker is rarely the best value, and the priciest is seldom worth it.
The same logic applies whether you shop in person or online in Canada. Read the label, weigh the cost per gram, and let the numbers guide you rather than the branding.
Is There a Catch With Low-Priced Cannabis?
Not in the legal market, which is the part newcomers miss. In Canada, every legal product is tested and labelled to the same standard, whatever it costs.
That means a budget option from a licensed seller has cleared the same checks as a premium one. It is screened for contaminants, and its potency is verified. Price reflects branding, packaging, and store margins far more than basic safety.
The genuine differences are in the finer points. Premium flower might offer a better aroma or a richer flavour, and some formats simply cost more to make. For everyday use, though, a well-priced choice usually performs just fine.
The real catch is buying outside the legal system. Health Canada’s overview of the Cannabis Act is a sensible read on what legal really means. Buying legal protects you, not buying expensive.
What Makes a Cheap Purchase a Smart One?
A couple of quick checks, mostly. A real bargain holds up to a second look, while a false one does not. The table below shows what to weigh.
| Check | Why It Matters |
| Is the seller licensed? | Only legal retailers guarantee tested product |
| What is the per-gram cost? | The headline price can hide a weak deal |
| Is potency on the label? | Higher strength can stretch your money |
| Are there bulk or sale deals? | These usually beat single-unit pricing |
| What does delivery cost? | Shipping can erase an online saving |
Any shaky answer there is a reason to pause. A licensed seller with clear pricing and labelling is the safe choice, while a suspiciously cheap unlicensed source is not. The legal age applies regardless, at 18 or 19 depending on the province.
Treat cannabis like any other considered purchase. Compare, check the details, and let value rather than habit lead the decision. That is how modest savings add up across a whole year.
Before You Buy
- Cannabis prices vary widely by retailer, format, and store overhead.
- Comparing the per-gram cost is the fairest way to judge value.
- All legal Canadian cannabis is tested, so cheaper is not unsafe.
- Bulk buys, sales, and plain formats keep spending down.
- Always buy from a licensed source, and factor in delivery fees.
Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels
Alt text: A shopper comparing prices online at home
Smart Savings, No Compromise
Buying affordable cannabis in Canada is not about chasing the lowest number you can find. It is about understanding what shapes the price and shopping with a little intention. Stick to licensed, tested products, compare the real cost per gram, and lean on bulk deals and online pricing. Do that, and an affordable choice stays a smart one, purchase after purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheap Weed Safe to Buy In Canada?
Yes, provided it comes from a licensed retailer. All legal cannabis in Canada is tested for contaminants and labelled for potency, regardless of price. A lower cost usually reflects branding and overhead rather than weaker safety, so a budget option from a legal seller is still a safe one.
How Do I Find the Best Cannabis Deals?
Compare the per-gram price, buy larger formats, and watch for sales from online retailers. Checking potency against price helps too, since a stronger product can mean you use less. The key is shopping deliberately instead of defaulting to the same brand or store each time.
Why Is Cannabis Cheaper Online?
Online sellers usually carry lower overhead than physical stores, and they run sales and bulk deals more often. That lets them price competitively while still selling tested, legal product. Just remember to factor in shipping, which can offset the saving on a small order.
Does Paying More Mean Better Cannabis?
Not necessarily. Price reflects branding, format, and store margins as much as quality, and all legal product meets the same testing standards. Premium options may offer a better aroma or appearance, but a well-priced choice often works just as well day to day.
