He was a Conservative member of the House of Commons of Canada from 2011 to 2015 who represented the Toronto riding of Don Valley West.

He owned and operated City Buick Pontiac Cadillac GMC Ltd.

His daughter Christin Carmichael Greb was a Toronto City Councillor, serving till October 2018.

Carmichael ran as the Conservative party candidate in the riding of Don Valley West in 2006 and 2008 federal elections, losing both times to Liberals John Godfrey and Rob Oliphant.

Critics called the bill an excuse to enshrine patriotism in law.