Good thing I had outlook.com forward the conditional approval message as SMS to my mobile. I wouldn't have otherwise checked as conditional approval email was sent shortly after midnight ET.

Applied MAY 25 at 11:59 AM ET as existing GE members. Received approval email AUG 6 at 12:09AM ET. Took 73 days.

At least YUL looks fairly open 3 weeks from now. Was able to snag three consecutive slots for spouse and kids.

Looks like they are processing these applications in a first come first serve basis as the conditional approvals were sent in the same order we applied in. Applicants being GE members and kids being elementary school age made no difference.