An update from me too about the timing.
After being told that I had received a conditional approval on Jan 29, I finally received a letter on Feb 14 with the instructions to obtain an interview.
The first available appointment at Montreal airport was on May 7, so I tried for Champlain, NY, which had a few slots available for Feb 18, which was the following working day (since Feb 14 was a Friday and Feb 17 was President's Day).
I have had my interview and I am now waiting for the card.